NAYPYIDAW, MYANMAR: Myanmar troops and weaponry on Wednesday paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw as it marked Independence Day, days after the junta increased jail term of democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi, to 33 years.
Independence Day marked 75 years of independence from Britain
The event marked 75 years since Myanmar gained independence from Britain. Parts of the Southeast Asian country have been engulfed by fighting between junta troops and the anti-coup rebels since the military seized power some two years back. The junta has recently winded up a series of closed-court trials of Suu Kyi and is preparing for fresh elections later in 2023 that the US has stated would be a “sham”.
Missile launchers, tanks and armoured vehicles rolled through the dawn air to a parade ground in the capital Naypyidaw, AFP reported, kicking off a military display. Accompanied by a military band, civil servants and high school students followed the troops. As many as 750 “peace” doves were also released to mark the occasion, according to the local media.
In a speech to the assembled troops, Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief accused the unidentified nations of “intervening in Myanmar’s internal affairs” since the February 2021 coup. — AFP/APP
