More than 1,000 civilians killed in Myanmar unrest | Myanmar

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Myanmar security forces have killed more than 1,000 civilians since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi from power six months ago, according to an advocacy group.

The country has been in turmoil since February 1, when the armed forces seized power in a swift coup, leading to a rift as protesters demanded a return to democracy.

The security forces responded with a bloody crackdown, using live ammunition against civilians. But the anti-junta mobs – some of which formed self-defense groups – still took to the streets daily in brisk rallies.

The Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners – an activist group that investigates deaths and mass arrests under the regime – said the death toll at the hands of security forces reached 1,006 on Wednesday.

“As long as the military is in power, they will continue to kill young people and professionals such as doctors, teachers, men, women and children,” said Ko Bo Jie, the association’s joint secretary.

They are not only killing our lives, they are killing the country’s future and its democratic hopes.

Ko Bu Jie – whose group has been labeled an “illegal” organization by the junta while in hiding – also accused the authorities of “weaponizing” Covid-19 as the country experiences a deadly wave.

Myanmar has so far recorded more than 363,000 cases and 13,786 deaths due to COVID-19.

The health crisis was exacerbated by the lack of official medical care as many hospitals were emptied of staff joining the national strikes against the junta.

Patients are also reluctant to go to military-run hospitals, creating long queues for oxygen and medical supplies at pharmacies across Yangon.

The military council has repeatedly justified the coup by claiming that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 elections and that the civilian death toll was greatly reduced.

Authorities said in June that more than 90 members of the security forces had been killed in clashes.

Aung San Suu Kyi faces a range of criminal charges, from possession of illegal walkie-talkies to violating the State Secrets Act.

Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief, was installed as prime minister in a “caretaker” government, which the junta called the State Administration Council.

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