The US on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's military for “atrocities” against civilians following last year's coup, days after Washington concluded that the military had committed genocide against the country's mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.
“Brutality and oppression have become trademarks of the Burmese military regime's rule,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.
“Treasury is committed to holding accountable those who are responsible for the continuing violence and repression.”
The sanctions hit two military commanders, an infantry division as well as three businessmen and four businesses.
The measures come as Washington aims to increasingly punish the military both for the February 2021 coup that removed Aung San Suu Kyi as well as the violence in 2016 and 2017 against the Rohingya, which Washington declared this week was an attempt to “destroy” the Muslim minority.
The new sanctions apply to Brig Gen Ko Ko Oo and Maj Gen Zaw Hein as well as the 66th Light Infantry Division, which the Treasury said has been accused of carrying out a December 2021 massacre in which civilians “were captured, tortured and killed, including some whom members of the military reportedly burnt alive".
Three people and two companies were also sanctioned for providing arms to the military, while two firms were hit for assisting other businesses that had been sanctioned previously.
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A demonstrator gestures near a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar. Reuters -
A man carries a sandbag to erect a makeshift barricade, as security forces stage a crackdown on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP -
Demonstrators are seen behind barricades during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters -
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP -
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP -
Residents release balloons with messages relating to "R2P", or the "Responsibility to Protect" principle that the international community is justified in taking action against a state that is deemed to have failed to protect its population from atrocities, in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP -
A resident receives medical attention after being injured during a crackdown by security forces on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP -
Anti-coup protesters flash three-fingered gesture, a symbol of resistance, during a rally outside their homes in downtown Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo -
A demonstrator looks on along burning debris during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA -
Medical volunteers carry an injured protester who was shot during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters -
Protesters with flags take part in a demonstration against the military coup as they ride scooters through a rural part of Launglone township in Myanmar's Dawei district. AFP -
The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters in Yangon. Getty Images -
Mourners hold up the three-finger salute as they carry the coffin during the funeral of teenage protester Aung Kaung Htet in Yangon. AFP -
Protesters take cover during clashes with security forces in Monywa. Reuters -
Medical staff and students take part in an early morning protest against the military coup and crackdown by security forces on demonstrations in Mandalay. AFP
