How Myanmar security forces are using night raids to suppress protests against the coup
The key logic of raiding in the dark is simple – discretion. It allows for swift action without scrutiny. Feb 22, 2021 · 07:30 am A woman in Yangon bangs a tray during a night protest against the recent coup by the Myanmar army. | Reuters
Since the Myanmar military – or Tatmadaw – took over power from the elected civilian government in an effective coup on February 1, protests have gripped nearly all corners of the country. The Civil Disobedience Movement, as the historic resistance is now being widely called, has seen unprecedented participation from nearly all sections of Burmese society. In fact, the depth of participation has dwarfed even the iconic 1988 and 2008 uprisings against the military junta.
People in Myanmar are reacting with defiance as authorities use night-time raids to arrest opponents of the military coup. Video footage showed people banging pots and pans to warn their neighbours of approaching security forces. Mass protests have taken place since the military seized control
BBC News
By Alice Cuddy
media captionMyanmar coup: What s happened so far?
Myanmar woke to the news on Monday that the military was seizing control of the country. I guess I ll be live tweeting a coup now, former Reuters journalist Aye Min Thant wrote on Twitter shortly before 07:00 local time (00:30 GMT). Things are still pretty quiet for now, though people are awake and scared. I ve been fielding calls since 6am from friends and relatives. The internet is in and out and my sim card no longer works.
It said the top army commander was in charge and a one-year state of emergency had been declared. The country s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, had been detained, along with other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.