more than 90 dead, including three boys

In a “day of disgrace”, the military authorities of Myanmar (ex-Burma) unleashed this Saturday a massacre of dozens of civilians, including three children, during the brutal repression of anti-union demonstrations. The operation left at least 91 dead, according to local media Myanmar now.

It is bloodiest day since the February 1 coup led by the head of the army and the military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, who today presided over a military parade on the occasion of Armed Forces Day in the capital, Naipyidó.

According to Myanmar Now’s tally, the deaths occurred during events organized in around 40 cities in regions and states such as Rangoon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago, Magwe, Tanintharyi and Kachin.

The total death toll, which stood at at least 328 on Friday, is already said to exceed 400.

Despite the repression with tear gas and rubber and live ammunition, thousands of Burmese once again challenged the army and police with spooky scenes that could be followed almost live on social media.

In a video captured by a security camera, soldiers indiscriminately shoot a motorcycle in an area where there have been no protests and pick up one of its injured occupants, while two others flee.

In another heartbreaking video, a heartbroken dad cries out that they killed her grandson while carrying him in his arms in a car.

Shoot the head

The military and police have complied with the threat launched by state television and radio on Friday: that demonstrators are said to be shot in the back and in the head.

In fact, the majority of those killed in the protests since the start of February have been gunshots, many to the head.

This Saturday morning, the coup leader of the military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, presided over the parade in Naipyidó, to commemorate the Armed Forces Day, although many demonstrators speak of the “day against the military dictatorship” and the “day of disgrace”.

The general of the coup d’etat assured that his mission is to “defend democracy” and promised to hold elections without specifying a date.

According to Asian media Nikkei, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand sent representatives to the military parade.

“Russia is a great friend,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech attended by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Formin.

The vast majority of countries boycotted the event and even some embassies, including that of Spain, replaced the cover photo of their Facebook pages with black as a sign of mourning.

Violent international reaction

“This 76th anniversary of Myanmar Armed Forces Day will be recorded as the day of terror and dishonor. The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, is indefensible,” the delegation to the country said. European Union in a press release. (EU), who called for an end to violence and the restoration of democracy.

The British Embassy also criticized the military junta on Twitter, accusing it of carrying out “extrajudicial executions” on the same day of the armed forces.

As well the American embassy joined in the criticism, accusing the police and soldiers of having “murdered” civilians, including children, whom he has sworn to defend.

“The Burmese have spoken clearly: they do not want to live under military rule. We demand an immediate end to the violence and the restoration of the democratically elected government,” the US delegation said on Facebook.

Authorities wear daily shooting at demonstrators for nearly two months, despite harsh condemnations from the UN, as well as the European Union and countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, which have endorsed sanctions against military leaders and its economic conglomerates.

The army seized power under the pretext of alleged electoral fraud in last November’s elections, in which the party of ousted leader and nobel peacekeeper, Aung San Suu Kyi, was destroyed and declared legitimate by observers international.

Therefore, the military junta detained more than 3000 people, including Suu Kyi and much of his government, most of whom are in secret.

By Gaspar Ruiz-Canela, EFE agency

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