The UK government is advising its citizens to leave Myanmar as anti-coup protests continue.
Camera IconThe UK government is advising its citizens to leave Myanmar as anti-coup protests continue.

UK advises its citizens to leave Myanmar

AAP

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Britain is advising its citizens to leave Myanmar in updated travel advice.

"Political tension and unrest are widespread since the military takeover and levels of violence are rising," the advice from the the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office noted on Friday.

It also notes there are military-ordered night-time internet shutdowns and money is becoming more difficult to access, with banks shut and ATMs not working.

British nationals are advised to leave the country by commercial means unless they have an "urgent need" to stay.

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Though Myanmar's military has suspended normal commercial passenger flights, relief flights are available and most can be commercially booked.

Those who cannot leave are advised to stay home and stay safe, and avoid crowds when they need to leave home for essential reasons.

Since a military coup at the beginning of February, there have been daily mass demonstrations in Myanmar. The protesters demand the release of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the reinstatement of her civilian government.

The military is increasingly trying to break the resistance.

International appeals and sanctions imposed on the generals including by the US and Britain have so far had no effect.

According to estimates by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a non-profit organisation in Myanmar, more than 60 people have been killed since the beginning of the protests and about 1900 arrested.

Citing an analysis of 50 videos, Amnesty International has said the military junta in Myanmar is deliberately using lethal weapons against participants in peaceful protests in what amounts to "extrajudicial executions."