Turkey condemns the coup in Myanmar, urging citizens to stay indoors

* Photo: EPA, AA

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Releasing a written statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has "strongly" condemned the coup staged by the military in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, earlier today (February 1).

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) Turkey's Foreign Ministry has stated that the country is "deeply concerned" by the power grab as "Turkey opposes any kind of military intervention."

Urging the immediate release of all elected leaders and civilians who have reportedly been detained in the coup, the Foreign Ministry has called for the new parliament, formed by the people's free will, to convene "as soon as possible" and quickly remove the obstacles standing in the way of elected leaders and democratic institutions in Myanmar.

The ministry has also expressed its hopes that "these developments will not worsen the situation of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims."

'Stay indoors, avoid travel unless necessary'

Amid this military coup, Turkey's embassy in Myanmar has also warned the citizens of Turkey not to venture outdoors or travel unless necessary.

In a written statement, the embassy in Naypyidaw has noted that a state of emergency has been declared in the country and armed forces have seized power. The statement has indicated that Vice President Myint Swe has been appointed acting president and added:

"It is understood that many senior government officials were detained, television channels and mobile lines were cut across the country, and wireless internet access was restricted/cut off in some regions."

The embassy has also advised the citizens to follow developments through local channels and avoid crowded areas. Citizens in Myanmar can reach the embassy via emergency phone lines, as well as through Twitter and Facebook, as long as the telephone lines are available.

'I am deeply concerned about developments'

United Nations (UN) General Assembly President Volkan Bozkır from Turkey has also expressed his worries amid the military power grab in Myanmar that has seen senior political figures detained.

"I am deeply concerned about developments in Myanmar. I call for immediate release of detained political leaders," Bozkır has said on Twitter.

Stressing that attempts to undermine democracy and the rule of law are unacceptable, he has added: "Military leaders must adhere to democratic norms and respect public institutions and civilian authority."

Briefly about the coup in Myanmar

Myanmar's military announced today (February 1) that it seized power and would rule the country for at least one year.

The military declared a state of emergency, detaining State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party just hours before the scheduled start of the first session of the new parliament.

The military claimed that the moves were being carried out due to "voter fraud" in the November 8 elections which resulted in the dominance of Suu Kyi's NLD party in parliament. Critics say that the military used the allegations to justify the coup. (AS/SD)