Canada’s Foreign Minister officially announced on March 8 that the country has imposed additional sanctions on 13 Myanmar military council officials, including generals, ministers, and deputy ministers, along with three organizations. These sanctions come as a response to the military council’s continued oppression of Myanmar’s people and demonstrate increasing international pressure against the regime. The sanctions target key figures within the military administration who are directly involved in the implementation of oppressive policies.
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 resident monk, Venerable Bhaddanta Wisudha, was killed when struck by bomb fragments. This incident starkly contradicts the military council’s frequent claims of protecting Buddhism, as it demonstrates their willingness to attack religious institutions and members of the Buddhist clergy. Local residents reported that the bombing was unprovoked and occurred in an area where there was no military engagement taking place.
In Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, two military council-appointed officials – administrative officer Htun Wai and Pyu Saw Htee member Soe Lwin – were reportedly shot and killed. These individuals were part of the military council’s administrative structure and were known to be involved in implementing oppressive measures against local residents. This incident reflects the continuing deterioration of the military council’s administrative control and the growing resistance against their authority in various parts of the country. The targeting of military council-appointed officials highlights the widespread opposition to the military’s attempt to establish administrative control over civilian populations.
