UK, US and Canada impose new sanctions on Myanmar military. Specifically, some of the new restrictions aim to cut off jet fuel supplies to air forces accused of indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas.. It is reported by The Guardian.

The sanctions were announced two years after the February 2021 coup that saw Myanmar's military overthrow Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, imprison her and plunge the country into chaos..

Since then, the junta has set fire to villages across the country, launched airstrikes on civilians and detained anyone it suspects of supporting pro-democracy movements in an attempt to control determined public opposition..

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the coup put Myanmar on a " New sanctions will be introduced jointly with Canada and the UK. Australia also announced sanctions.

Sanctions Announced by Canada and Britain Target the Export, Sale, Supply or Shipment of Aviation Fuel to Myanmar. The UK measures are also targeting companies and individuals linked to the Asia Sun group, which supplies fuel to the Myanmar Air Force, allowing them to carry out a barbaric campaign of air attacks..

U.S. sanctions target top officials of the Myanmar Department of Energy, an oil and gas enterprise (MOGE), the country's air force, and an arms dealer and family member of a previously identified military business partner. The US also imposed sanctions against the Allied Election Commission.

Australia, criticized for its slowness in imposing sanctions on Myanmar military figures, announced measures against 16 people, including junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy So Win. Two companies also fell under the sanctions - Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Ltd..

The Myanmar military promised to hold elections this August but recently announced strict rules that the elections will be neither free nor fair.. The junta is trying to justify the coup by alleging widespread fraud in the 2020 elections, which Aung San Suu Kyi's party won, without evidence.. The country's leader has since been sentenced to more than three decades in prison after a series of closed trials..

Protest leaders in Myanmar have called for a 'silent strike', asked people to stay at home as silence reigned in the streets in opposition to the junta and its election plans. Military violence makes it dangerous to hold street protests in cities.

In neighboring Thailand, crowds gathered outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, some holding images of Aung San Suu Kyi or wearing headbands in support of the Government of National Unity set up to oppose junta rule..

Amnesty International business and human rights researcher Montse Ferrer called the Canadian and British government's measures "

“Until now, government inaction has allowed the Myanmar military to use imported aviation fuel for airstrikes that have destroyed families and terrorized civilians.. While the companies targeted by the UK are key players in the aviation fuel industry in Myanmar, countries must take action across the industry to stop the flow of aviation fuel,” Ferrer said..

Ferrer said countries should also follow Canada's lead and suspend the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer, including transit and brokerage, of jet fuel to Myanmar..

Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was concerned about the military's apparent intention to hold elections "

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The military coup in Myanmar took place in February 2021. The generals call it a response to the 2020 election irregularities, in which Suu Kyi's party won by a wide margin.. At the same time, the military did not provide evidence of violations..

Experts say the military junta is trying to permanently suppress the leader, who has spent many years under house arrest.. In June 2022, Suu Kyi was transferred to solitary confinement in the country's capital.. Contacts of the former leader with the outside world are limited. In addition, some of Suu Kyi's associates are in custody..