Fire On Protesters, Special Operations Commander And Police Chief Of Myanmar Are Sanctioned By The US

Myanmar military in the face of anti-coup protesters. (Twitter/@YGNGoldenLand)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) government, through the Department of Finance, announced that it has imposed sanctions on two high-ranking officials of the Myanmar military regime and two military units for the deadly acts of violence against anti-coup protesters.

This move follows previous sanctions imposed by President Joe Biden's administration, which imposed sanctions on Myanmar's elite military regime and military-related businesses but has not had a deterrent effect.

"Today's action sends a strong signal, we will follow through on our pledge to continue to take action against the coup leaders and those who committed violence," Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The US move comes after the European Union imposed its own sanctions on Monday against 11 people linked to the February 1 coup in Myanmar.

The first figure named in the sanctions was Than Hlaing, the military officer appointed to become Myanmar's police chief since the coup. Second, Lieutenant-General Aung Soe, special operations commander in charge of Myanmar military operations.

They were sanctioned by freezing all existing assets in the United States, prohibiting travel, and prohibiting interaction of US citizens with them.

Myanmar military. (Twitter/@MyatWutYeeAung1)

In addition, the Ministry of Finance also blacklisted the 77th Light Infantry Division and 33rd Light Infantry Division, which had been deployed to suppress anti-coup demonstrations in the largest city, Yangon, and the second city of Mandalay.

"Video footage shows security forces driving pickup trucks firing ammunition in various directions indiscriminately, including at people's homes," the Treasury Department said of the crackdown.

The 33rd Light Infantry Division is one of two elite military light infantry units already under US human rights sanctions for their role in the 2017 military offensive against Rohingya Muslims.

As reported by The Irrawaddy, until Monday, March 21 yesterday, the death toll of the Myanmar military anti-coup demonstration had reached 254.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in that one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.