Myanmar junta blames internet blackouts on anti-coup fighters

Bangkok: Myanmar’s junta has denied suspending the internet in conflict-wracked regions, blaming a recent spate of data blackouts on anti-coup protesters who had destroyed military-owned communications towers.

The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since the military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February, triggering huge democracy protests that security forces have sought to quell in bloody crackdowns.

Some in the anti-coup movement formed local "people’s defence forces" in their townships to fight back, and in recent weeks destroyed several communications towers belonging to military-owned Mytel in western Chin state. Reports of an internet and data blackout -- particularly in regions where local defence forces and the military are locked in conflict -- emerged soon after.

The junta’s foreign ministry on Saturday denied that the State Administration Council -- as the military regime dubs itself -- was responsible. "In fact, the recent internet connections were disrupted due to the terrorist acts such as destroying of communication towers by terrorist groups," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry urged some foreign missions in Yangon to thoroughly verify information before making statements." Post-coup Myanmar is no stranger to internet blackouts, with the junta imposing one in the early hours of February 1 as soldiers arrested Suu Kyi and other top politicians from her National League for Democracy party.