US Adds Myanmar’s Ministries of Defense, Home Affairs to Blacklist

The US Department of Commerce announced imposing sanctions on Myanmar's Ministries of Defense and home affairs by adding them in its trade blacklist, to punish Myanmar's army for its Feb 1 coup.

Sanctions were imposed on the two ministries, in addition to two other entities in the country, due to the coup in Myanmar, according to a statement by the US Department.

Earlier, The United States (U.S.) threatened Myanmar’s military leaders to take further actions over security forces’ violent crackdown on unarmed protesters, journalists, and activists.

In a press conference, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “If the Burmese military continues this course, and if it refuses to restore the democratically elected government and end the disgraceful violence against peaceful protesters, then there will be additional measures forthcoming from the U.S.”

The United States (U.S.) is deeply concerned about security forces’ violence against peaceful protesters in Myanmar.

In a statement, the U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the killings represented an escalation of the ongoing crackdown against pro-democracy protesters since the February 1 military coup.

Sullivan affirmed U.S. solidarity with Myanmar people, noting that his country will continue to coordinate closely with allies and partners in the Indian and Pacific region and around the world to hold those responsible for the violence to account.