World is watching the crisis in Myanmar says Western world

A near-total internet closing was announced in Myanmar on Sunday night, as mass demonstrations against the military coup of February 1 entered their second week.

Monday, 15th February 2021

People continue to oppose power coup in Myanmar

A near-total internet closing was announced in Myanmar on Sunday night, as mass demonstrations against the military coup of February 1 entered their second week. Earlier, armored troop carriers were seen in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon, further increasing tensions. On Monday, vast amounts of people around the country again flouted orders on protests to protest the military’s seizure of power. Despite the internet blackout, thousands of drivers marched on the streets of Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, chanting and holding signs that state: “Free our leader,” “Who stands with justice?” and “Stop arresting people illegally at midnight.” In Yangon, the country’s most populated city, fewer demonstrators gathered, but there were still several hundred anti-coup demonstrators outside the Central Bank of Myanmar building, where there were also military trucks full of soldiers, riot police, water-cannon trucks, and armored personnel carriers. Meanwhile, the military leaders continued their detention of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose detention was set to expire on Monday. Her release is a key demand of the protesting crowds, but she will now be remanded until Wednesday, when she will likely appear in court by videoconference, according to Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer asked by Suu Kyi’s party to represent her. Military vehicles on the move As night fell on Sunday, there were reports on social media of other military vehicles on the move, along with indications that the internet was about to be cut. An order that appeared to be from the Ministry of Transport and Communications told mobile phone military providers to shut down internet connections from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday. Netblocks, a London-based service that tracks internet disruptions and shutdowns, said on Sunday darkness that a near-total internet closing was in effect, with connectivity at just 14% of normal levels.