Myanmar military coup: Why is it happening and what is the latest?

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A brutal crackdown by security forces has left hundreds dead during anti-coup protests in Myanmar - more than two months after the military seized power from the nation's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League for Democracy Party (NLD).

Thousands of people have been detained including the country’s best-known comedian, Zarganar, who was arrested on Tuesday as authorities continue to target people they think are inciting the nationwide protests.

A further 11 activists were killed by security forces on Wednesday, local media reported, in the town of Taze in the northwest, and on the same day Myanmar’s ambassador to London was locked out of the embassy, blaming the country’s military for the “coup.”

The United Nations (UN) last week “expressed deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation” in the country since Ms Suu Kyi and members of her party were rounded up and detained under the orders of military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing, who is now in control of Myanmar's levers of power.

But why are people protesting against the military coup, and what, if anything, is the international community doing to help prevent more demonstrators from getting killed by the security forces?

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The military seized control of power in Myanmar following a general election where Ms Suu Kyi's, a former Nobel Peace Prize winner, secured a landslide victory.

The military had backed the opposition party, who had called for a recount of ballots at the election, claiming widespread voter fraud, as President Trump had done during the US election last year.

Myanmar's election commission found no evidence that irregularities had taken place at the election. But because the military didn't want the NLD in power it performed a coup just as Myanmar's politicians were about to begin a new session of parliament.

Ms Suu Kyi and many members of her party were arrested in dawn raids on 1 February as the military made its move.

She has been detained on a number of charges including possessing illegal walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus rules during last year's election campaign and publishing information that may "cause fear or alarm", claims all of which her supporters say are bogus and politically motivated.

As head of the military, commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing is now in control of Myanmar. After taking over he declared a state of emergency and said new elections would take place only once it is over.

But critics fear that the military will use the state of emergency to maintain control of Myanmar and stifle opposition against its rule.

The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar, which for five decades had languished under strict military rule that led to international isolation and sanctions.

As the generals loosened their grip, culminating in Ms Suu Kyi's rise to power in the 2015 elections, the international community responded by lifting most sanctions and pouring investment into the country.

Fresh protests have continued this week in various parts the country. In the northwestern town of Kale, security forces fired live rounds, grenades, and machine guns on protesters, killing at least 8 people.

At least 11 people were killed and many others several wounded after authorities opened fire in towns in Sagaiang region. And two protesters were also killed in the town of Bago near Yangon, local media reported.

Protesters in Kalay have set up neighbourhood strongholds and hit back against security forces, meanwhile daily protests against military rule continued Wednesday in other cities and towns, including Mogok in central Myanmar.

Human rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) human rights group has estimated that around 600 civilians have been killed since the coup.

The violence in the country has prompted outrage, with State Department spokesman Ned Price saying the US was "appalled" at the images of "horrific violence" and the UN's independent expert on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, saying the "systematic brutality of the military junta is once again on horrific display."

"I urge members of the UN Security Council to view the photos/videos of the shocking violence being unleashed on peaceful protesters before meeting in Friday's close-door session," he said on Twitter.

The UN Security Council has scheduled those consultations on calls to reverse the coup — including from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres — and stop the escalating military crackdown.

The US and UK have responded with sanctions on some military officials.

But any kind of coordinated action at the UN will be difficult since two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, would almost certainly veto it. Some countries have imposed or are considering imposing their own sanctions.

Additional reporting by agencies