In a speech on Myawaddy TV military television, the Myanmar military said they had detained important political leaders in response to what they called “electoral fraud” and declared a state of emergency, Reuters reported.
Power was handed over to army chief Min Aung Hlaing, according to Reuters. CNN was unable to confirm Reuters reports due to widespread internet and telecommunications problems in Myanmar.
The announcement follows several days of worsening political tensions and growing fears of a potential military coup, and comes hours before a new session of parliament is scheduled to begin.
National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman Myo Nyunt confirmed the arrests to CNN on Monday. “State Councilor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and some other important figures are being detained in (capital) Naypyidaw,” said Myo Nyunt. “The military seems to be taking control of the capital now.”
Several senior leaders from major states in Myanmar, including Shan state, Kayah state ministers and NLD state spokesman Ayeyarwady, were also detained in the operations, said Myo Nyunt.
As of Monday morning, Myanmar’s main news channels were down and there were reports of significant Internet disruptions in the county. Soldiers could also be seen outside the city hall, in the country’s commercial center, Yangon.
Myanmar’s electoral commission on Thursday rejected allegations of electoral fraud, saying that any errors – such as duplicate names on voter lists – were not enough to impact the outcome of the vote.
After his release, Suu Kyi led his party to a landslide victory in Myanmar’s first openly contested election in 2015, establishing its first civilian government after 50 years of military isolation and authoritarianism.
But its international reputation has been tarnished in recent years by accusations of genocide against the Muslim Rohingya population in Myanmar. Myanmar denies the charges and has long claimed to have targeted terrorists.
“This needs to be tackled with the strongest international response. The military needs to be made to understand that they made a big miscalculation in thinking that they can get away with it,” the group said.
Communications blackout
As Myanmar woke up to the news of a likely coup on Monday, there was evidence of significant Internet and telephone network disruptions across the country, which could affect people’s ability to obtain information or organize any response through the media. Social.
Netblocks, which monitors internet blackouts worldwide, said real-time network data showed a huge drop in connectivity in the early hours of Monday morning. Doug Madory, an analyst at Kentik, a network observability company, added on Twitter that a “big internet crash” was occurring.
“Continuous disconnections were monitored with national connectivity initially dropping to 75% and then 50% of normal levels at 8:00 am local time,” according to Netblocks.
Reuters reported that Myanmar’s state media, MRTV, is experiencing technical problems and cannot broadcast, the network said. “Due to current communication difficulties, we would like to respectfully inform you that regular programs from MRTV and Radio from Myanmar cannot be broadcast,” Myanmar Radio and Television said in a post on its Facebook page.
Netblocks reported that “technical data shows cuts affecting several network operators, including the state-owned Myanma Postos e Telecomunicações (MPT) and the international operator Telenor, with preliminary results indicating a centrally ordered interruption mechanism targeting cell phones and some line services. fixed, progressing over time. “
“I have a feeling that no one will really be able to control what comes next. And remember that Myanmar is a country flooded with weapons, with deep ethnic and religious divisions, where millions are barely able to feed themselves.”
International reaction
Military action has generated concern and condemnation on the part of the international community.
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation in Myanmar by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, according to a statement by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
“The United States is opposed to any attempt to alter the outcome of the last elections or prevent Myanmar’s democratic transition and will take action against those responsible if those measures are not reversed,” the statement said. “We are monitoring the situation closely.”
Army chief Min Aung Hlaing has been under U.S. sanctions since December 2019. He has been designated for serious human rights abuses related to the atrocities committed against the Rohingya.
Australia on Monday called for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other key leaders being detained by the military.
In a statement from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Marise Payne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “The Australian government is deeply concerned by reports that the Myanmar military is once again trying to take control of Myanmar “.
“We ask the military to respect the rule of law, resolve disputes through legal mechanisms and immediately release all civilian and other leaders who have been illegally detained,” the statement said.
Additional Reuters reporting, CNN’s James Griffiths, Sandi Sithu and Sophie Jeong.