Canada has officially announced new sanctions against 13 high-ranking officials from Myanmar’s military council, including generals, ministers, and deputy ministers, along with three organizations, as declared by the Canadian Foreign Minister on March 8. These sanctions are implemented in response to the military council’s continued oppression of Myanmar’s people and are intended to increase international pressure on the regime. The sanctions target individuals directly involved in the military council’s operations and decision-making processes.
In Hpapun Township, Karen State, the military council conducted an airstrike on a monastery in Kyauk Kwin village despite there being no active fighting in the area. The attack resulted in the death of the resident monk, Venerable Bhaddanta Wisudda, who was hit by the bombing. This incident starkly contradicts the military council’s frequent claims of protecting Buddhism in Myanmar. While the regime consistently portrays itself as a defender of Buddhist faith, their actions demonstrate a pattern of attacking religious institutions and members of the sangha, as evidenced by this tragic event. Local residents have confirmed that there was no military engagement or conflict in the area that could have justified such an aerial assault on a religious establishment.
In Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, two military council-appointed administrators, Htun Way and Pyu Saw Htee Soe Lwin, were reportedly killed in an attack. Both individuals died immediately at the scene. This incident reflects the continuing collapse of the military council’s administrative mechanisms and demonstrates the local population’s resistance against the military dictatorship. While the military council attempts to maintain its administrative control in various townships, their infrastructure continues to suffer significant losses due to attacks from people’s defense forces. The incident highlights the growing challenges the military council faces in maintaining its authority at the local level, as well as the increasing strength of the resistance movement across the country.
