The United States on Wednesday (Jan 31) slapped further sanctions on Myanmar, marking the three-year anniversary of the coup as Washington targeted two entities and several people it said were closely associated with the junta.
Wednesday’s sanctions were the latest aimed at the fuel the junta uses to conduct aerial bombings in its war with anti-coup forces that have often targeted civilians, as well as the military’s ability to produce arms.
The US Treasury Department in a statement said it targeted the Shwe Byain Phyu Group of Companies, its owner Thein Win Zaw, his wife and two adult children.
Treasury said the company imports and distributes petroleum for the military and has a profit-sharing relationship with military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, which Washington imposed sanctions on in 2021.
Washington also targeted MEHL-owned shipping company Myanmar Five Star Line, which it said ships material for domestic weapons production for the military.
The Treasury Department said the two entities have enabled the purchase of foreign currency and the import of petroleum and other materials on behalf of the junta.
“We are taking this action to target the regime’s sources of revenue which support military activities against civilians,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, reiterating Washington’s call for the military to change course.
