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Protesters in Mandalay with a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi, the deposed Prime Minister of Myanmar
Photo: KAUNG ZAW HEIN / EPA
At least 18 dead, targeted shots at demonstrators, several arrests: In Myanmar, the military regime cracked down on peaceful demonstrations.
Now the US wants to hold those responsible for the violent suppression of the demonstrations accountable.
The administration of US President Joe Biden announced new sanctions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Twitter that they condemn the "despicable violence" and stand firmly on the side of the people in Myanmar.
The National Security Advisor to the White House, Jake Sullivan, said the US was "alarmed" about the violence against peaceful demonstrators.
It represents an escalation in action against pro-democratic protests against the military coup in the Southeast Asian country.
"We are preparing additional actions to impose further penalties on those responsible for this latest outbreak of violence and the recent coup," Sullivan said on Sunday and announced further details later in the week.
The US would continue to coordinate closely with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.
The deadliest day since the coup
The United Nations announced on Sunday that nationwide protests against the military coup in Myanmar had killed at least 18 people and injured more than 30 others.
It was the deadliest day since the military took power on February 1st.
According to the UN, security forces shot crowds with live ammunition in the two largest cities, Rangoon and Mandalay, as well as in Dawei, Bag, Myeik and Pokokkuo.
The European Union’s foreign representative, Josep Borrell, spoke of a “brutal repression of peaceful protests”.
He called on the military junta to immediately stop using violence against civilians.
Borrell announced that the EU will soon respond to the latest developments in Myanmar with measures.
As a result of the coup, the military had primarily ousted Prime Minister Suu Kyi.
The 75-year-old had won the parliamentary election in November by a clear margin.
Since the coup, there have been repeated mass protests in Myanmar.
The military has recently tried with increasing severity to break the resistance.
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mrc / dpa