As Myanmar’s navy celebrated the nation’s annual “Armed Forces Day” with a parade within the capital Naypyitaw, police and troopers opened fireplace on anti-coup protesters in additional than 40 cities throughout the nation, killing a reported 114 individuals, together with kids.
It was the bloodiest day amid ongoing demonstrations in opposition to the navy junta, which ousted the democratically-elected authorities of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1.
At the very least 328 individuals had been killed within the post-coup crackdown by way of Friday, in line with the Affiliation of Political Prisoners
On the parade, junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing spoke earlier than hundreds of troopers and dignitaries from a number of international locations, together with Russia. He pledged that the navy would defend the individuals and try for democracy.
The celebration marked the 76th anniversary of the Burmese revolt in opposition to Japanese occupation throughout World Warfare II.
Demonstrators who crammed the streets of a number of cities to protest the coup referred to the vacation utilizing its authentic title, “Resistance Day.”
The brutal crackdown got here one day after the junta threatened on state-run TV to “shoot protesters within the head or again,” the Myanmar Now information website reported. Protesters ignored the threats to take to the streets and once more demand the return of democracy.
The wounded included a 1-year-old child within the Yangon area, the place a minimum of 27 individuals have been killed. A 13-year-old woman was among the many 40 individuals killed in a city within the Mandalay area. One other 13-year-old was killed within the Sagaing area. They’re amongst 22 kids killed for the reason that protest motion started.
“Expensive world, we don’t want Nobel or something. Simply defend our younger individuals and kids,” stated a tweet from Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Motion, which has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. The phrases have been repeated by hundreds of supporters sharing the information of the bloody crackdowns all through Saturday.
“At the moment is a day of disgrace for the armed forces,” Salai Maung Taing San, a spokesman identified as “Dr. Sasa” from CRPH, an anti-junta group arrange by deposed lawmakers.
In a separate motion, navy jets additionally launched air strikes on a village in territory managed by an armed group from the Karen ethnic minority and a minimum of two individuals have been killed. Earlier, the Karen Nationwide Union stated it had overrun a military submit close to the Thai border, killing 10 individuals – together with a lieutenant colonel – and dropping one in every of its personal fighters. The incident mirrored an escalation of stress with the navy after years of relative peace.
The killings shortly drew worldwide condemnation.
U.S. Ambassador Thomas Vajda in an announcement stated, “safety forces are murdering unarmed civilians.”
“These aren’t the actions of an expert navy or police pressure,” he wrote. “Myanmar’s individuals have spoken clearly: they don’t need to reside below navy rule.”
A joint assertion issued by ambassadors from U.S., European Union, Canada, U.Okay. and different international locations stated, “We name on safety forces to chorus from violence in opposition to demonstrators and civilians, who’re protesting the overthrow of their reliable authorities.
“We assist the individuals of Myanmar of their quest for democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity,” the assertion concluded. “The world is watching.”
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