US administration would identify the first round of targets of the sanctions this week, although some Myanmar military leaders have already been blacklisted over atrocities against Rohingya Muslims
Washington: US President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved an executive order to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders who carried out a coup last week and overthrew the democratically elected government.
Hundreds of thousands have turned out in street protests against last week’s coup, which overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in the South East Asian country despite the military imposing a ban on large gatherings and a night curfew.
There have been reports of other serious injuries as police have increased their use of force, but no deaths so far.
Measures are also being taken to block access by the military to $1bn (£720m) of government funds held in the US. These sanctions are intended to target the country’s military leaders, their family members, and all businesses that linked to them.
Mr. Biden said his administration would identify the first round of targets of the sanctions this week, although some Myanmar military leaders have already been blacklisted over atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.
The sanctions come as a woman protester who was shot in the head during the protests against the coup is fighting for her life at a hospital in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing was hurt on Tuesday when police tried to disperse protesters using water cannons, rubber bullets, and live rounds. The wound was consistent with one from live ammunition, rights groups say.