Myanmar military takes control amidst coup

Myanmar's military has seized power after arresting several government officials including state counsellor and de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Photo by The Daily Beast

The coup started after the military declared that the 2020 election results, which saw the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party secure a landslide victory over the army-backed opposition, were fraudulent.

The military announced a one-year state of emergency on the army's TV station in the early hours of Monday morning whilst moving troops and vehicles into major cities.

It was also announced that power had been handed to the military's commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Ms Suu Kyi urged her supporters to "not accept this" and "protest against the coup" in a letter pre-empting the takeover.

24 ministers and officials have been removed from power and 11 replacements have been named for major sectors including finance, foreign affairs and health.

Internet, phone and banking services across the region have been disrupted and national and international TV stations are off-air.

In a tweet condemning the coup, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said: "I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar. The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released."

US presidential press secretary, Jen Psaki, said the US opposed “any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed.”