This Thursday Myanmar celebrates silent strike to protest against the military regime to mark the third anniversary of the coup d’état on February 1, 2021, when the junta was weakened by army defeats by pro-democracy and ethnic minority guerrillas.

“Today is the third anniversary of the army coup. We organized a national silent strike to demonstrate our invincible spirit. We have only one message to the international community: support our activists” is covering the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), the organizer of the protest, on his X account today.

Convened today from 10am to 4pm (GMT+6:30), the CDM called on citizens During this period they will remain in their homes or places of work. express your disagreement with the regime.

Independent local media such as Irrawaddy or Myanmar now they provide successful continuation of the strike, there are only a handful of pedestrians on the streets of major cities such as Yangon or Mandalay, although they say businesses have remained open for fear of reprisals from military authorities.

“This is proof of the indomitable spirit of the people of Rangoon, who united in a silent strike, challenging the repressive security measures of the genocidal junta,” says Dr. Sasa, minister of international cooperation for the opposition Government of National Unity (GNU), which declares itself the country’s legitimate authority.

PNG politician, formed after the coup in part by former members of the overthrown Legislative Assembly and operating semi-clandestinely, accompanies the commentary purportedly current photographs of half-empty Yangon streets.

This is about fifth silent strike called in Myanmar since coup and the last two anniversaries were also marked by similar strikes that paralyzed much of the country.

“This year, 2024, is crucial for the revolution. We have to fight dictatorship in two ways: armed resistance and non-violence”, Strike organizer Ko Nan Lin told the newspaper Irrawaddy

The strike will take place just twenty-four hours after the board’s announcement. fifth extension of the state of emergency since the coupwhich guarantees the armed forces full executive and legislative powers for a further six months and eliminates the possibility of elections that cannot be held during this period in accordance with the constitutional mandate.

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The extension of the state of emergency comes as the conflict in the country worsens. and the army is driven into a corner following the late October offensive called Operation 1027 (due to its start date), launched in the northern Shan state bordering China by an alliance of guerrillas, although it quickly spread to almost the entire country.

Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing said this Wednesday during the announcement that The army will “do everything necessary” to “suppress the opposition” and “restore stability” in the country.

However, the army’s defeats intensified optimism for the pro-democracy movement, are represented by the NUG and have an armed wing – the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), which support Operation 1027.

On the occasion of the anniversary, countries such as The US and Australia announced new sanctions against the military, this time targeting companies and individuals who contribute to the supply of fuel to the junta, with the aim of stopping the army’s bombing of the population.

Meanwhile, they took place in several cities around the world such as Bangkok, Seoul and Manila. protests against the military regime.

The military coup on February 1, 2021 plunged Myanmar into chaos. deep political, social and economic crisis and ushered in a spiral of violence with the rise of new civilian militias that have worsened the guerrilla warfare the country has been waging for decades.

(according to information from EFE)