Conflicts & War

Hackers attack Myanmar gov’t websites in protest of coup

Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 18 (efe-epa).- Hackers attacked government websites linked to the Myanmar military to protest the recent coup as the internet was disconnected nationwide for a fourth consecutive night.

Several government websites, including the Central Bank, public broadcaster MRTV and True News agency, in charge of disseminating the military’s information, were inactive Thursday after hackers attacked them overnight.

On its Facebook page, the Myanmar Hackers group said that its targets are the profiles linked to Tatmadaw, as the military is known in the country.

“We are fighting for justice in Myanmar,” the group said.

“Our blog is helping them (hackers) to attack the army sites, military government sites and sites who are standing with Myanmar coup… It is like mass protesting of people in front of government websites,” it added.

The attack coincides with the fourth overnight internet blackout across the country that occurred after massive protests returned to the streets Wednesday against the new military junta.

The London-based internet monitor NetBlocks reported Thursday that the network was available again at 9 am Thursday morning after a disconnection of about 8 hours, although access to various social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, continues to be “restricted.”

“The practice is detrimental to public safety and incites confusion, fear and distress in difficult times,” said NetBlocks.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of several cities in the country on Wednesday to demand a return to democracy and the release of elected civilian leaders detained by the military, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Since the coup, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, and until Wednesday, at least 495 people have been detained, including 35 who have been released, the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners said.

The military junta justified its seizure of power by alleging fraud in the November election won by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. EFE-EPA

bir-nc/tw

Related Articles

Back to top button