Violence mark anniversary of Myanmar army rule

Bangkok: A nationwide strike in Myanmar on Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the army’s seizure of power, as protests and sporadic violence across the country renewed international concern over the ongoing struggle for power.

Photos and video on social media showed that a countrywide “silent strike” had emptied out streets in Myanmar’s largest city of Yangon and other towns as people stayed home and businesses shut their doors in a show of opposition to army rule.Violence was reported as well, as the country faces an insurgency that some U.N. experts now characterize as a civil war.

Media said an explosion killed at least two people and injured dozens at a pro-military rally in a town on the eastern border with Thailand. The cause of blast was not immediately clear. The military’s takeover on Feb. 1, 2021, ousted elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party was about to begin a second term in office after winning a landslide victory in previous year’s November election. 

Widespread nonviolent demonstrations followed the army’s



takeover, but armed resistance arose after protests were put down with lethal force. 1,500 civilians have been killed but the government has been unable to suppress opposition.

The anniversary has attracted international attention, especially from the United States and Western nations critical of military takeover. President Joe Biden in a statement called for the military to free Suu Kyi and other detainees, and return Myanmar on a path to democracy. The U.S. on Monday imposed new sanctions on Myanmar officials, adding to those targeting top military officers. The measures freeze any assets the listed officials may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them. Britain and Canada announced similar measures.

A statement from office of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted “an intensification in violence” and “humanitarian crises” that it said required an urgent response. Scattered pro-democracy rallies were held before start of nationwide strike in early morning, when security forces are less likely to be out on streets.