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BRUTAL RULE Myanmar’s Chief Senior Normal Min Aung Hlaing (left) attends a ceremony to mark the nation’s 77th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on Sunday, March 27, 2022. AFP PHOTO
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Myanmar’s junta will “annihilate” coup opponents, military chief Min Aung Hlaing mentioned on Sunday because the navy staged a present of power on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown up to now on democracy protests.
The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with greater than 1,700 individuals killed in crackdowns on dissent, in line with a neighborhood monitoring group.
Anti-coup “Folks’s Protection Power” fighters conflict recurrently with junta troops, whereas preventing has additionally flared in border areas with extra established ethnic insurgent teams.
Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing advised some 8,000 assembled safety personnel that the military wouldn’t let up.
The navy will “now not negotiate… and annihilate till the top” teams preventing to overturn its rule, he mentioned forward of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw.
Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, crimson and inexperienced of the nationwide flag, whereas state media confirmed ladies lining the streets resulting in the parade floor to provide flowers and place garlands on the marching troopers.
In the meantime, anti-coup protesters referred to as on social media for a nationwide “energy strike” demonstration on Sunday night.
Bloodiest day
Armed Forces Day commemorates the beginning of native resistance to the Japanese occupation throughout World Conflict 2 and normally includes a navy parade attended by overseas officers and diplomats.
Final 12 months, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalized these protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s authorities.
The violence was the bloodiest day up to now within the navy’s crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters useless, in line with a neighborhood monitoring group, and sparked widespread worldwide condemnation.
The junta has grow to be more and more remoted, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the one overseas chief to go to because the putsch.
The vice protection minister of Russia — a serious arms provider and ally — had been resulting from attend this 12 months’s parade however was unable to due to his “nation’s affairs,” junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun mentioned.
In February, a United Nations skilled on Myanmar mentioned Russia — together with different main ally China — was persevering with to provide the navy with weapons together with fighter jets and armored automobiles.
The USA and Britain on Friday introduced new sanctions towards Myanmar’s military.
The brand new measures got here days after Washington mentioned it has concluded that the nation’s navy dedicated genocide towards the largely Muslim Rohingya minority.
For the reason that putsch, greater than 1,700 individuals have been killed in a navy crackdown on dissent, in line with a neighborhood monitoring group.
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