In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: Myanmar anti-coup protesters defy crackdown

Thousands of protesters brave water cannons and warning shots as they rally in major cities seeking return to civilian rule.

People join a rally against the military coup and demanding the release of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon. [Reuters]
Published On 9 Feb 2021

Myanmar police fired into the air and used water cannon on Tuesday as protesters across the country defied bans on big gatherings to show their opposition to a military coup that halted a tentative transition to democracy.

The February 1 coup and subsequent detention of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi have brought the largest demonstrations in more than a decade and a growing civil disobedience movement affecting hospitals, schools and government offices.

Witnesses said police fired guns into the air in the capital, Naypyidaw, as the crowd refused to disperse on the fourth straight day of protests.

One witness told Reuters that demonstrators ran away as guns were fired into the air. Media later reported that police were using rubber bullets.

Police had earlier fired water cannon at the protesters, who responded by throwing projectiles, the witness said. Footage on social media showed people running, with the sound of gunshots in the distance.

Police have arrested at least 27 demonstrators in the second-biggest city of Mandalay, including a journalist, local media organisations said.

Protesters hold signs demanding the release of detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. [Sai Aung Main/AFP]
Advertisement
Police fire water cannons at protesters as they continue to demonstrate against the February 1 military coup in the capital Naypyidaw. [AFP]
An injured protester is helped by his fellow protesters at a rally in Naypyidaw. The unrest revived memories of almost 50 years of direct army rule until the military began withdrawing from civilian politics in 2011, though it never gave up its control over the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party. [Reuters]
The protesters are demanding that power be restored to the deposed civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD. [Sai Aung Main/AFP]
The growing defiance is striking in a country where past demonstrations have been met with deadly force. [Reuters]
Authorities imposed curfew in parts of Yangon and Mandalay - the largest and second-larges cities - after banning rallies and gatherings of more than five people. [Reuters]
Advertisement
Police officers run during clashes with protestors rallying against the military coup and demanding the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Naypyidaw. [Reuters]
A police officer speaks to protesters during a demonstration against the coup in Yangon. [Sai Aung Main/AFP]
Protesters hold up signs showing red ribbons during a rally against the military coup and to demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. [Reuters]