The army, known as the Tatmadaw, held a parade and arms parade in the capital Naypyidaw, in the second year since toppling the government-elected Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. 2021.
Anti-coup protesters poured into the streets of Myanmar on Sunday morning, carrying signs saying “spit out the fascist army.”
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in his speech dismissed any talks with the “terrorist” opposition. A five-point peace plan by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations calls for all sides to negotiate, but so far little progress has been made.
“I would say that the Tatmadaw will not consider negotiating with the terrorist group and their supporters for killing innocent people … and will destroy them,” he said.
The government accuses opposition gunmen of killing civilians and security forces during its resistance campaign, while activists say the army has killed hundreds in crackdowns since the uprising. coup.
The shadow government of the ousted government, the National Unity Government (NUG), said on Sunday that the people of Myanmar would destroy the army and its fascism roots.
“Together with the souls of our lost heroes, we will fight to the bitter end,” NUG spokesman Dr Sasa said in a statement.
Myanmar has been plagued by violence since the military took power, undergoing a tentative decade of democratic and economic reforms.
More than 1,700 people have been killed and nearly 13,000 arrested, according to the human rights organization Association to Support Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Military authorities say the AAPP figures are exaggerated.
The United Nations last week said the military was committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
