Two anti-coup protesters killed in Myanmar

Security forces in Myanmar reportedly killed two people on Monday as anti-coup protests against the military junta showed no signs of stopping across the country.

The Associated Press reports that the two people were shot in the head during a protest in Myitkyina, the capitol city of Kachin State.

According to local media, graphic videos showed protesters fleeing from tear gas and what sounded like a machine gun. Injured demonstrators were carried away, including one person who appeared to have a severe head injury. Another body was later seen on a stretcher.

Security forces also responded to protests in the city of Naypyitaw, the AP reports, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of around 1,000 people.

Armed forces from one of Myanmar’s ethnic groups, the Karen National Police Force, reportedly arrived at Mandalay on Monday to protect anti-coup protesters.

More than 50 protesters have died in Myanmar since the military coup in early February.

Several countries have condemned the Burmese military’s actions in response to the demonstrators. U.S. officials reportedly blocked Myanmar’s military from transferring $1 billion it held in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Authorities arrested several journalists last week including Associated Press reporter Thein Zaw. The U.S. has called for the journalists to be released and for a civilian governance to be restored.

“We are appalled and revulsed to see the horrific violence perpetrated against the people of Burma for their peaceful calls to restore civilian governance. We call on all countries to speak with one voice to condemn brutal violence by the Burmese military against its own people and to promote accountability for the military’s actions that have led to the … loss of life of so many people in Burma,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said last Wednesday.