Military Coup in Myanmar

[Suriyanakhon]

it is, i think, the steps you have to take
they don't care very much about the country
but they do care about themselves

Update on this, in the extremely saddest of way: So they started looting / confiscating donation boxes from Burmese temples / pagodas / etc. Shwedagon Pagoda's donation boxes are more or less gone, it would seem.

Not saying this because I think they're good people, but the military leadership pillaging pagodas actually surprises me. You'd think that they would be afraid of supernatural punishment, or would like to be seen as the protectors of Buddhism in contrast to the “weak” civil government. They're not even really trying to hide their greed and cynicism.

[Valentine Z]

Update on this, in the extremely saddest of way: So they started looting / confiscating donation boxes from Burmese temples / pagodas / etc. Shwedagon Pagoda's donation boxes are more or less gone, it would seem.

Not saying this because I think they're good people, but the military leadership pillaging pagodas actually surprises me. You'd think that they would be afraid of supernatural punishment, or would like to be seen as the protectors of Buddhism in contrast to the “weak” civil government. They're not even really trying to hide their greed and cynicism.

Oh yeah, I know what you mean, no worries. Yeah, just one step away from scraping the gold off of a pagoda, but IF they started doing that... I will honestly not be surprised anymore.

This is also extremely ironic especially because they previously cut down cloth lines with women garments - most of us have this belief / superstition thing of men not going/walking under women's clothes.

And yes, I would also think that they would be afraid of angering Buddha. Mind you, it's not because they are atheists - I think it is like the equivalent of sinning as hard as they can, and then hoping that praying it away or confessing it is going to cleanse that sin.

[Kowani]

Police carry out night raids after breaking up protests

[Japerlasa]

Update on this, in the extremely saddest of way: So they started looting / confiscating donation boxes from Burmese temples / pagodas / etc. Shwedagon Pagoda's donation boxes are more or less gone, it would seem.

Y'know, this was the one thing I thought they wouldn't do. I'm irreligious but this is honestly sickening. Once again lost my faith in humanity. That happens a lot these days..

[Kowani]

Security forces fire rubber bullets and live rounds at protestors in Bagan


also, we've got one political death in custody: Khin Maung Latt

A ward chairman from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, which was ousted from power in the coup, was found dead in a military hospital Sunday morning by fellow residents of his Pabedan neighborhood, according to a post on Facebook by NLD lawmaker Sithu Maung.

Suspicion was rampant on social media that Khin Maung Latt, 58, died due to a beating in custody after being taken from his residence, but no official cause of death was immediately announced.

[Kowani]

Australia suspends military cooperation with Myanmar, redirects aid to non-government organizations

[Sungoldy-China]

The Myanmar military formed a tightly united political group during the suppression of other ethnic minorities;

Since the Burmese support their military's suppression of other ethnic minorities in the country, when the power of the military is threatened, one should not be surprised by the methods the military will use.

[Valentine Z]

The Myanmar military formed a tightly united political group during the suppression of other ethnic minorities;

Since the Burmese support their military's suppression of other ethnic minorities in the country, when the power of the military is threatened, one should not be surprised by the methods the military will use.

If you are implicating that I support the atrocities such as the Rohingya Genocide, or wanted every other minorities exterminated, you really do have another thing coming.

I don't want to make this a me-thing, but to wake up and having to read this infuriates me plainly.

[Diahon]

The second great Burman purge has commenced in earnest, huh... really, Val, I cannot for the life of me begin to understand those so drunk in power they'll destroy everyone who'll work for them if they weren't such utter fucking dicks for all of it.

Again, for you and all of your compatriots living abroad seeing this, I hope that your family is safe, I hope that you can keep in touch even with this bloodthirsty wave seemingly cresting, I hope that you can somehow smuggle your family to safety as soon as you can.

There is no future in Myanmar, not while the military rules and overrules and utterly destroys any attempt to make it not about them and their murder-minded ways.

[Kowani]

Troops being deployed to hospitals and other public building in cities and towns around Myanmar

Troops have been seen occupying hospitals, university campuses, and temple compounds in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Tanintharyi, Mandalay and Sagaing regions and Mon, Kayah, Kachin and Rakhine states. In Yangon, soldiers have occupied the city’s largest hospital, Yangon General Hospital, as well as Gandhi Hospital and Waibargi Specialist Hospital, medical workers said.

Hospital officials were said to be in negotiations with military officers following public demands for the withdrawal of the troops by 7pm Sunday. However, it was unclear at the time of writing if this demand had been met.In Mandalay, witnesses reported that security forces were being deployed at Mandalay General Hospital, Yadanarbon University, Mandalay Central railway station, and other major public facilities, including government offices and the local power authority.

Military personnel were also sighted at the famous Mahamuni Buddha Temple, one of Myanmar’s most popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites, according to local residents.

Attempts to prevent four military vehicles from entering Mandalay Technological University with troops were repelled with tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving several people injured, witnesses said. In nearby Monywa, where multiple killings were reported in a protest crackdown on Friday, police and soldiers from the 33rd infantry division have occupied Monywa University and the Monywa University of Economics.

In the Mon state town of Ye, security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at locals protesting against the deployment of troops at the the township hospital. At least two people were injured. In southern Rakhine state’s Gwa township, local media reported that the superintendent of the township’s main public hospital had successfully prevented soldiers from occupying the hospital compound.

There were also reports of protests by students in the capital of Kayah state against the deployment of troops at the Loikaw Computer University.

[Diahon]

"If once you don't succeed in killing off everyone else, then by the devil do it again, no matter how few remain".

[Valentine Z]

The second great Burman purge has commenced in earnest, huh... really, Val, I cannot for the life of me begin to understand those so drunk in power they'll destroy everyone who'll work for them if they weren't such utter fucking dicks for all of it.

Again, for you and all of your compatriots living abroad seeing this, I hope that your family is safe, I hope that you can keep in touch even with this bloodthirsty wave seemingly cresting, I hope that you can somehow smuggle your family to safety as soon as you can.

There is no future in Myanmar, not while the military rules and overrules and utterly destroys any attempt to make it not about them and their murder-minded ways.

Yeah, we are delving too quickly into 1988 territory, except that the only reason they are sort of holding back a much more violent bloodbath is because this is already causing such a stint (in a good way) against everyone responsible, and since this is the age of the internet, bad news travel at the speed of light.

Thank you for the sentiment and yes, I can still say that my family and friends are still safe. I have not heard of any news that my friend or a relative has died in a protest. I wish I can say the same for the other strangers who were gunned down.

[Kowani]

EU planning sanctions on Myanmar military’s businesses

The measures, which diplomats said could be agreed by EU foreign ministers on March 22, would target companies "generating revenue for, or providing financial support to, the Myanmar Armed Forces", said one of the documents dated March 5.

EU diplomats told Reuters that parts of the military's conglomerates, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), were likely to be targeted, barring EU investors and banks from doing business with them. Additionally, the bloc is set to place asset freezes and travel bans on military officials and border guard police accused of the crackdown on protesters against the coup, the EU documents seen by Reuters showed, although names are still under discussion.

[Kowani]

Several police officers fled into India after refusing orders to shoot protesters

[Diahon]

Several police officers fled into India after refusing orders to shoot protesters

Really? That's the most courageous thing they could fucking do, knowing full well others would take up those arms and slaughter people in cold blood? Resign and flee and not even spirit away what guns they could?

Fucking Burmese cops -- even when they try and do right (if that), they wind up doing themselves -- and only themselves -- a favor. Selfish grunts make for a selfish, mass-murdering elite. And all for fucking what?

[Kowani]

Trial begins for 6 reporters who were covering the coup, all of them are being charged under section 505a of the Penal Code.

Kay Zon Nway (Myanmar Now), Aung Ye Ko (7Day), Ye Myo Khant (Myanmar Pressphoto Agency), Thein Zaw (AP), Hein Pyae Zaw (ZeeKwat Media), and freelance reporter Banyar Oo have all been charged under section 505a of the Penal Code. According to the Facebook page Detained Journalists Information Myanmar, 37 journalists have been arrested in the country since the military seized power on February 1. The list was last updated on March 9.

The second hearing is scheduled for March 25.

Section 505a of the Penal Code was recently amended by the junta to effectively outlaw encouraging government workers to go on strike as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement against military rule.

Those found guilty of violating the law face up to two years in prison.

Besides arresting reporters, the ruling military council has also ordered raids on independent news agencies.

Over the past week, the offices of Kamaryut News, Mizzima, and Myanmar Now have all been raided by armed military personnel in an effort to clamp down on reporting of the regime’s crimes.

[Diahon]

So I'm here. First time in a fruitless, pointless week spent trying to do everything I could and getting nowhere, other than yesterday. I can't exactly divulge what went on (there was a lot of swearing on both ends, yes), but suffice it to say my country's leadership is still one with the rest of the ASEAN re Myanmar.

A not unknown variable, that.

[Kowani]

So I'm here. First time in a fruitless, pointless week spent trying to do everything I could and getting nowhere, other than yesterday. I can't exactly divulge what went on (there was a lot of swearing on both ends, yes), but suffice it to say my country's leadership is still one with the rest of the ASEAN re Myanmar.

A not unknown variable, that.

what do you even do?

[Diahon]

So I'm here. First time in a fruitless, pointless week spent trying to do everything I could and getting nowhere, other than yesterday. I can't exactly divulge what went on (there was a lot of swearing on both ends, yes), but suffice it to say my country's leadership is still one with the rest of the ASEAN re Myanmar.

A not unknown variable, that.

what do you even do?

The past few days? Talk my way to people, get talked down by people.

Connections.

[Kowani]

what do you even do?

The past few days? Talk my way to people, get talked down by people.

Connections.

i see

[Omniabstracta]

The acting head of the rival, civilian government has vowed to pursue a “revolution” to reverse the coup, as twelve more are killed in protests. Things are rapidly boiling towards another 8888, or possibly worse.

[Heloin]

To look at this from the military perspective, they have an increasingly narrow window to actually win outright. The victory they wanted, a return to military rule like existed before 2010, likely no longer exists. This may be shocking to some people who've been saying the military doesn't care but no one wants to be in charge of the Congo, stability is so much better for everyone involved. They now probably realise that they have fucked up and see their only option as crush the opposition before things completely fall apart. The military and their supporters hoped this year would be a return to what they considered Myanmar to be. Instead they've likely condemned Burma to a violent revolution or civil war.

[Diahon]

To look at this from the military perspective, they have an increasingly narrow window to actually win outright. The victory they wanted, a return to military rule like existed before 2010, likely no longer exists. This may be shocking to some people who've been saying the military doesn't care but no one wants to be in charge of the Congo, stability is so much better for everyone involved. They now probably realise that they have fucked up and see their only option as crush the opposition before things completely fall apart. The military and their supporters hoped this year would be a return to what they considered Myanmar to be. Instead they've likely condemned Burma to a violent revolution or civil war.

This would totally be the case if 1988 wasn't ever a thing. As it did, however, it stands to reason that remorseless bloody murder to keep power at the expense of everything else is as firmly rooted in Burmese military tradition, as is decades of irresolvable ethnic strife.

[Kowani]

Martial Law declared in Yangon, deadliest day yet, 39 fatalities (38 civilians, one police officer)

[Glorious Hong Kong]

At least 39 reported killed in Myanmar in bloodiest day since start of military coup

So many innocent, unarmed civilians have been killed by the Tatmadaw that I can no longer turn a blind eye to their atrocities simply because ASSK and the Burmese people may have tacitly condoned some genocide in the past, least of all because it was the military itself that perpetrated the bulk of the genocide, which, in turn, wouldn't have been possible without them, and there is no reason to believe they wouldn't suddenly turn their guns on the ethnic Bamar majority.

I stand with the people of Myanmar regardless of what they may have done or said in the past and I hope these mass-murdering butchers are brought to justice for their unforgivable crimes and that they face the death penalty.

The Chinese embassy said many Chinese staff members were injured and trapped in arson attacks by unidentified assailants on garment factories in Hlaingthaya, and that it had called on Myanmar to protect Chinese property and citizens. China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta that has taken power.

"injured and trapped in arson attacks"

Uh huh. Sure. I believe them. BElIeVe aLl ChInEsE!1!1!

China's embassy described the situation as "very severe" after the attacks on the Chinese-financed factories.

Marking the strongest comments by China about the violence up to now, it urged Myanmar authorities to "stop all acts of violence, punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law and ensure the safety of life and property of Chinese companies and personnel".

An editorial in the Global Times, which is published by the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, condemned what it described as "barbaric acts".

"We strongly urge Myanmar side to stop this kind of crimes, punish the perpetrators and compensate Chinese factories for the losses," it said.

ASSK and her supporters may have been racist enablers of genocide, but let's not forget that China is no less racist nor genocidal than Myanmar has been. It is currently one of the most racist, fascist, genocidal countries in existence today. What Americans and Europeans used to do a century ago, China is doing today, and it's sickening that the CCP is now emulating the old, racist, white supremacist West at its absolute worst while hiding behind its CeNtUrY oF HuMiLiAtIoN and its "but we're the victims of racist Sinophobia, you can't say China virus but Japanese encephalitis is totally a-ok, poor us" card. Their gaslighting, manipulative, victim mentality is fooling (almost) no one. They're the real racists, fascists, and imperialists, and they know it deep down.

China cares so deeply about the human rights and dignity of oppressed peoples around the world...that it decides to wait until its OWN imperial installations and its OWN colonial administrators and nationals in Myanmar have come under direct attack before coming out to forcefully and resolutely condemn the violence in Myanmar...coming from unarmed protesters fighting for their freedom. No wonder ordinary Burmese people are FUCKING PISSED AS HELL and I stand with them in their struggle to totally drive China and Chinese influence out of Myanmar completely.

To the wonderfully racist, Han chauvinist, imperialist CCP, only Chinese lives and imperial assets matter, specifically the lives of Chinese passport-holders with direct ties to the CCP and not the ethnic Burmese-Chinese who have been targeted for genocide by the Tatmadaw for generations.

To the genocidal CCP and the murderous Tatmadaw, I will reply by stating that ALL LIVES MATTER. ALL CHINESE LIVES MATTER. ALL BURMESE LIVES MATTER. Even the lives of war criminals who deserve to be sentenced to death for their crimes matter, else their sentences would be rendered meaningless.

As Galen Erso once said to Imperial Agent Orson Krennic, "you'll NEVER win". His daughter Jyn added that "rebellions are built on hope". May the Chinese Empire and its Burmese lapdogs fall to ruin one day.

The same goes for the Thai monarchy and military, Rodrigo Duterte and his corrupt enablers, Cambodian dictator Hun Sen, and loyal CCP lapdog and local official Carrie Lam of Hong Kong SAR Xianggang Prefecture, all of whom are backed by China. Democracy in the ASEAN region is under sustained assault more than ever before. I stand with ALL of these people equally.