UN Rights Office: At Least 18 Killed in Myanmar

At least 18 people were killed in Myanmar on Sunday, as security forces fired on peaceful demonstrators who protested against the military coup, according to the United Nations (U.N.) human rights office.

"Throughout the day, and in several locations across the country, the police and army confronted the peaceful protesters, using lethal force and less lethal force that - according to credible information received by the U.N. Office for Human Rights - killed at least 18 and injured more than 30," the office said in a statement.

Last Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Myanmar army generals over a military coup, which took place on Feb. 1.

“The military must reverse its actions and urgently restore the democratically elected government in Burma, or the Treasury Department will not hesitate to take further action,” the department said in a statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that his country will continue to take “firm action” against those who perpetrate violence against Myanmar people, who are demanding the restoration of their democratically elected government.

In a tweet, Blinken said, “We stand with the people of Burma.”

On Sunday, State Department Spokesman Ned Price confirmed that the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about reports that Myanmar security forces fired on protesters.

Two anti-coup protesters died on Saturday after being shot by the police during a rally against the military takeover in Myanmar.

The United States (U.S.) and the United Nations (U.N.) have condemned the use of force against the protesters, who are demanding a reversal of the Feb. 1 coup and the release of Suu Kyi, activists and leaders of the National League for the Democracy party.

Last month, the army carried out a military coup that shocked a country and brought it back into isolation within years of leaving it.

Seeking to justify the coup that was condemned by many Western capitals, the army said it was “a necessity to preserve the stability of the country.”