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WASHINGTON: The US government is preparing “additional actions” in the coming days against those responsible for the violent crackdown and military coup in Myanmar, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday (February 28).
“We will continue to coordinate closely with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world to hold those responsible for the violence to account,” Sullivan said in a statement.
“We are preparing additional actions to impose higher costs on those responsible for this latest outbreak of violence and the recent coup. We will have more to share in the coming days,” he added.
Washington has already imposed a series of sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders since the military took power.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned on Sunday what he called “abhorrent violence” by Myanmar security forces against protesters.
“We strongly support the courageous people of Burma and encourage all countries to speak with one voice in support of their will,” Blinken said on Twitter.
He said the United States “will continue to promote accountability for those responsible.”
At least 18 people died after Myanmar police fired on protesters across the country, the United Nations said, calling on the international community to act to stop the crackdown.
“Police and military forces have faced peaceful demonstrations, using lethal and less-than-lethal force which, according to credible information received by the UN Human Rights Office, has left at least 18 people dead and more than 30 injured. “said the UN. the rights office said.
READ: Myanmar’s ambassador to the UN vows to continue fighting after the junta fires him
Myanmar has been in chaos since the army seized power and detained elected government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and many of her party leaders on February 1, citing fraud in the November elections that her party won overwhelmingly.
The coup, which halted tentative steps toward democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, has drawn hundreds of thousands to the streets and to the condemnation of Western countries.
Crowds of protesters were attacked in various parts of the larger city of Yangon after stun grenades, tear gas and shots into the air failed to dissolve their protests.
Across the country, protesters wearing plastic work helmets and makeshift shields clashed with police and soldiers in battle gear, including some from units notorious for harsh crackdowns on ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar’s border regions.
