US Sanctions Individuals, Entities in Myanmar Following ‘genocide’ Designation

WASHINGTON (AA) – The US has sanctioned five individuals and five entities in Myanmar over “genocide” of its Rohingya population.

Those designated include Myanmar’s 66th Light Infantry Division, including its leaders Brigadier-General Ko Ko Oo, and and Major-General Zaw Hein.

Three individuals identified as arms dealers — Naing Htut Aung, Aung Hlaing Oo and Sit Taing Aung — were sanctioned for allegedly providing weapons and equipment to Myanmar’s military, which is formally known as the Tatmadaw.

Naing Htut Aung’s International Gateways Group of Company Limited, and Aung Hlaing Oo’s Myanmar Chemical & Machinery were also placed under US sanctions.

Htoo Group of Companies, and its subsidiary Asia Green Development Bank Ltd, were sanctioned for being owned by Tay Za, who was sanctioned on Jan. 31.

The economic penalties come three days after the US formally concluded that the Tatmadaw is responsible for crimes against Myanmar’s minority Muslim Rohingya that constitute genocide.

The US determination comes as the UN’s top court resumed in February its proceedings to determine if Myanmar is responsible for genocide.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been hearing the case, which was brought by Gambia, and accuses Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention in its brutal crackdown on the Rohingya community, for over two years.