Myanmar Civilians Killed, United States Adds Penalties To Myanmar Military

Myanmar military. (Twitter / @ htza97)

JAKARTA - The United States will continue to take firm action against the Myanmar military in relation to developments in the country.

This was said by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in line with the increasingly repressive nature of the military and security forces in the face of the February 1 military anti-coup protesters.

It is known that four Myanmar civilians died over the weekend due to deadly gunshot wounds to the head and body. This condition has caused criticism from the international community

"We will not hesitate to take further action against those who commit violence and suppress the will of society", Blinken said in a statement.

"We call on the military and police to stop all attacks on peaceful protesters, immediately release all those detained unfairly, stop attacks and intimidation against journalists and activists, and restore a democratically elected government", added Blinken.

Most recently, the United States has again imposed penalties on two members of the Myanmar military junta, along with strong criticism of the situation in Myanmar, on Monday, February 22.

The Ministry of Finance's Foreign Asset Monitoring Office said the move was aimed at General Maung Maung Kyaw, who is the commander of the air force, and Lt. Gen. Moe Myint Tun, a former chief of military staff and commander of one of the military's special operations. The bureau that oversees the operations of the capital Naypyidaw.

"The military must abandon its actions and immediately restore the democratically elected government of Burma, or the Ministry of Finance will not hesitate to take further action", the department said in a statement.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden signed penalties against the Myanmar military regime two weeks ago. General Maung Maung Kyaw and Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun are not yet on the list of penalties.

In the sanctions, there were 10 names of members of the Myanmar military regime who were the targets of penalties. Six of the government agencies, the State Administration Council (SAC) and other high-ranking officials, as well as three military-related entities.

The Myanmar military general whose name is mentioned is the coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Myanmar Military Senior Deputy General Soe Win, General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, Lieutenant-General Aung Lin Dwe, and Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo. All of them are members of the SAC.

The other four people on the new penalty list who are not members of the SAC are the Presidential official of Myanmar and retired Lieutenant General Myint Swe, Lieutenant General Sein Win, Lieutenant General Soe Htut, and Lieutenant General Ye Aung.

The three entities that are subjected to penalties are Myanmar Ruby Enterprise, Myanmar Imperial Jade Co. Ltd. and Cancri (Gems and Jewelry) Co. Ltd. They are owned or controlled by, or have acted or intended to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly with the military.