Myanmar coup Casualties rise as police step up crackdown                                                                          



Violent crackdown on anti-insurgency protesters in Myanmar began on Sunday with police using live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas.

Despite the police response, protests continue in cities such as Yangon, Mandalay and Davao.

There are reports of casualties, although it is difficult to confirm.

Protests have erupted in the country since the army ousted and detained senior government leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, on February 1.


Social media footage released on Sunday showed police fleeing as accusations were leveled against them, temporary barricades were set up, and several people were covered in blood.

The police crackdown, which began in full swing on Saturday, was extended when rebel leaders sought to end a large-scale peaceful civil disobedience campaign that showed no sign of ending.

What is happening on the ground?                                    


After Yangon, the largest city in the grenade failed to disperse the demonstrators and the police shot tear gas failure. Photos on social media showed blood on the streets as fellow protesters helped people.

A doctor told Reuters that a man had died in hospital after being shot in the chest.

Protesters were denied entry despite some obstructions.

"If they press us, we will stand up. If they attack us, we will defend ourselves. We will never kneel in front of military boots," Nyan Wen-sheen told Reuters.

Another police officer told AFP: "Police opened fire as soon as we arrived. They did not say a word of warning. Some were injured and some teachers were still hiding in neighboring houses."

Police removed the protesters were in the police van.

In the southeastern city of Daoui, security forces mobilized to break up a rally.



There are reports of direct round use. At least one person was killed and more than a dozen were injured, the Dewey Watch media outlet said. An emergency worker told Reuters there had been three deaths and more were feared dead.

Police crack was also put on a big rally in Mandalay, where police used water cannon and fired in the air.

Protests are also taking place in other places, including the northeastern town of Lashio.

The number of arrests has not been confirmed since the protests began. The Aid Association's Political Prisoners Monitoring Group puts the number at 850, but it looks like hundreds more have been detained this weekend.

Where is Aung San Suu Kyi?


Myanmar's civilian leader has not been seen in public since he was detained in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, following the uprising.

His supporters and many in the international community have called for his release and the restoration of the November election results, in which his National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory.
Ms Sochi is due to face trial on Monday on charges of possessing an unregistered walkie-talkie and violating coronavirus rules. But his lawyer says he is unable to speak to her.

Rejecting the election committee's claim, military leaders justified the seizure of power by accusing it of massive electoral fraud.

The uprising outside Myanmar has been widely condemned, with sanctions imposed on the military and other condolence measures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

What's happening in Myanmar? Military coup and protests explained visually                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 More than 700 people have been killed in escalating police violence. Videos of security forces' brutal killings and beatings of civilians have shocked the international community.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Myanmar to protest the February 1 military coup and brutal violence against civilians.

At least 765 people have been killed. More than 140 civilians were killed on March 27 alone, making it the bloodiest day of the uprising. On April 9, another 80 people were killed.

The military, known as Tatmado, claimed responsibility for the November 13 election after it rejected the results. International observers say there is no evidence of fraud.

Protesters want the military to step down and release Aung San Suu Kyi, a political leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He has been in an unknown location since February 1.

The army has cracked down on protesters. More than 4,609 people, including some journalists, have been arrested in the violence by security forces. At least 3,555 are still in custody.

According to the United Nations World Food Program, in addition to the violence, Myanmar is facing a serious economic crisis, in which rising food and fuel prices have led to a revolt.

Then there is China, which many protesters fear is supporting the uprising in Myanmar because of its wider business interests.

Anti-China sentiment is growing and Chinese factories have been attacked by protesters. State broadcaster CGTN says China could be forced to crack down on businesses in Myanmar.

In addition to a brief look at the history of military conflict in the country, you need to know about uprisings, protests and brutal crackdowns.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 Who is in control?                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The country's military has taken control of the country, arrested political leaders, and responded to the upcoming protests with horrific violence.

It declared martial law on March 14 in areas around the largest city, Yangon, meaning protesters could be tried in military courts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

What charges does Aung San Suu Kyi face?                                                                                                                                                                                 

According to Deutsche Welle, the military has accused Sochi of inciting fear and alarm, violating COVID-19 safety regulations and violating telecommunications law by having six walkie-talkie radios. If convicted, he could be jailed or barred from running in the next election.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Where is Myanmar?                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a Southeast Asian nation, slightly smaller than Texas, with a population of about 57 million.

The country, the second largest in Southeast Asia, has endured frequent vicious power struggles between the military and its civilian leadership since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. About 88% of the population is Buddhist.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 Is it Myanmar or Burma?                                                                                                                                                                                

The country has been known as Burma for generations, but was renamed Myanmar in 1989 after military rulers suppressed the pro-democracy movement. The Associated Press notes that Myanmar is "only a formal version" of Burma. The name change was in English only.

The United States officially uses "Burma" to refer to the country. (This includes the State Department and the CIA World Factbook.)                                                                                                                                                                        

Where are the protests?                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Demonstrations, which began with residents beating pots and pans on balconies, turned into large-scale street protests. They have occurred in small towns and large cities across the country.

Thousands take part in anti-military protests in Yangon, despite warnings from military officials that the protests could lead to "casualties".

Large crowds appear from space via satellite imagery.