Britain Escalates Sanctions on Myanmar Military Amid Airstrike Concerns

Britain, alongside the EU and Canada, has imposed new sanctions targeting Myanmar's military, aiming to restrict their access to aviation fuel and other equipment. These measures are intended to curb airstrikes on civilians amidst Myanmar's ongoing civil war. The sanctions include asset freezes to block financial dealings.

Britain on Tuesday imposed new sanctions aimed at restricting Myanmar military's access to crucial equipment and funding, hoping to limit the junta's capability to conduct airstrikes on civilians.

The sanctions, coordinated with the European Union and Canada, target six key entities involved in supplying aviation fuel or restricted goods like aircraft parts to Myanmar's military. The British government noted that these expand upon prior measures against aviation fuel suppliers, now incorporating asset freezes to block financial transactions with these entities.

"The human rights violations by Myanmar's military, including airstrikes on civilian areas, are intolerable," said Catherine West, Britain's Minister for the Indo-Pacific region. The junta did not immediately comment. The EU similarly sanctioned individuals and companies linked to the junta for alleged human rights abuses.

(With inputs from agencies.)