*This story is ongoing and constantly being updated*

*Latest update – March 15th, 2021, 8:45AM*

The military has now taken control of the Myanmar government, with military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing in charge. The military, also known as the Tatmadaw, has declared a state of emergency set to last one year long. The Tatmadaw seized control on February 1st after a general election where the National League for Democracy party won according to BBC.

Army generals had ruled Myanmar for decades, and now they are back in control. Leader of the National League for Democracy party, Aung San Suu Kyi has been overthrown from office by a coup, and the military arrested her along with other close political leaders. The army backed those opposed to the results of the election, claiming election fraud, and insisted on a recount. However, the election commission denied that there was any evidence to support them, and the coup occurred as a new parliament session was about to begin according to BBC.

International condemnation and sanctions have been placed on the leader of the coup, Min Aung Hlaing, but he says that the military is on the side of the people.

Widespread protests have occurred throughout Myanmar. These protesters include teachers, lawyers, and students. The military has placed restrictions like curfews and gathering limitations to diffuse protests, and have also taken to using water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.

So far, three protesters against the coup have been killed.

After police opened fire on Saturday in Mandalay, two protestors died. This had been the most violent weekend since the coup began, according to CNN, yet activists still called for a mass strike, and tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Monday all throughout Myanmar in opposition to the military takeover. They did this despite warning from the State Administration Council (the military) that protesters may “suffer the loss of life.”

As of Sunday the 14th, 38 protesters have been killed.