Myanmar security forces opened fire killing four civilians during protests

Myanmar security forces have reportedly opened fire killing four people during protests against the military coup on Wednesday March 3, local media reported, a day after a diplomatic push to end the long-lasting crisis made little headway.

Two people were killed during clashes in Mandalay, one person was killed when police opened fire in Yangon, and a fourth person was shot and killed in the central town of Myingyan.

About 24 people have been killed since the coup on February 1.

The incidents came a day after foreign ministers from Southeast Asian stakeholders urged restraint but failed to unite behind a call for the military to release ousted government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy.

On Tuesday March 2, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also failed to make a breakthrough in a virtual foreign ministers’ meeting on Myanmar.

“We expressed ASEAN’s readiness to assist Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner,” the ASEAN chair, Brunei, said in a statement.