US sanctions Myanmar officials, 'cronies' ahead of 2-year coup anniversary

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US issued a new wave of sanctions on Tuesday targeting Myanmar's officials and what it called "military-affiliated cronies" as the country prepares to mark the two-year anniversary of a coup that has led to widespread unrest.

In all, the US is sanctioning six individuals and three organizations, including the country's elections authority, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

In addition to the Union Election Commission, the Biden administration blacklisted two public-private mining firms and their executives, three Myanmar energy officials, two current and former military officials, and the adult daughter of a Myanmar-based businessperson closely affiliated with the military.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Aung San Suu Kyi's government was deposed in a military coup after her National League for Democracy party won national elections in November 2020.

UNICEF says the number of displaced people has risen to more than 1.5 million in the last two years.

Despite outcry from the international community and human rights groups, displacement of locals continues in some areas amid ongoing junta regime operations against the opponents.

According to a recent UN report, at least 2,890 people lost their lives at the hands of the military and those working with them.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Myanmar's military regime has "set the country on a disastrous and deadly path with the brutal military coup against the country's democratically-elected government."

"We're going to work to help restore democracy for and to the people of Burma," he added.