US slaps new sanctions on Myanmar generals for role in coup

Move will prevent ruling generals from accessing more than $1bn in funds held in the US, but supporters say it is not enough.

The US Treasury announced on Thursday that new sanctions against Myanmar will target the country’s top military officials who ordered this month’s coup in the Southeast Asian country, after President Joe Biden signed an executive order that allowed the Treasury Department to also target the spouses and adult children of those being sanctioned. “As a part of today’s action, Treasury is designating 10 current and former military officials responsible for the February 1, 2021 coup or associated with the Burmese military regime,” the US Treasury said in a statement announcing the sanctions. The sanctions name top military commander Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy Soe Win, as well as four members of the State Administration Council.