US calls situation in coup-hit Myanmar 'troubling'

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Thursday characterized the situation as “troubling” in Myanmar where the military is staging a brutal crackdown after a Feb. 1 coup.

Speaking at a news conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said targeting journalists and dissidents is of great concern to US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"This issue has been raised broadly in virtually every diplomatic conversation that members of our team have. As you're very familiar with the situation on the ground in Burma is troubling," said Psaki.

She said the US is working closely with its partners in the region.

"We've taken sanction steps ... to send a clear message that it's unacceptable," she added.

More than 50 people have been killed in protests in Myanmar since the junta took power.

Of 54 documented cases, at least 30 were of people killed by security forces on Wednesday in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway and Mon, according to the UN.