The military junta declared a state of emergency four years ago, on February 1, 2021, when it arrested the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and senior officials in her government in a military takeover that reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of previous military rule.
The takeover sparked an armed resistance movement, with powerful ethnic minority militias and popular defense forces supporting Myanmar’s main opposition now controlling large parts of the country.
The military government is currently facing its biggest challenge since coming to power and finds itself on the defensive in much of the country.
Here is a look back at the demonstrations that took place in the days and weeks following February 1, 2021:
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery An anti-coup protester aims an improvised weapon on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters chant slogans and wave flags during an anti-coup demonstration at Sule Square on February 17, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Mourners give a three-fingered salute while carrying a coffin during the funeral of Aung Kaung Htet, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery \A man holds up an image of General Min Aung Hliang with a cross drawn on it during an anti-coup march on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Residents ride bicycles past tires set on fire by anti-coup protesters during a blockade on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters sit behind makeshift shields displaying an image of military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery A protester salutes with three fingers in front of a row of riot police, who hold roses given to them by protesters, February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Riot police set up a barrier in front of Yangon City Hall on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Aung Kaung Htet’s mother cries during the funeral of Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters defend themselves with makeshift shields during clashes with riot police on February 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar’s military government has intensified a crackdown on protesters in recent days, using tear gas, charging and arresting demonstrators and journalists. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery People give a three-fingered salute during an anti-coup march on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Mourners prepare to carry the body of Aung Kaung Htet, 15, killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, into a coffin during his funeral March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters cover themselves with large plastic sheeting to protect themselves from the possible use of water cannons against them, February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters defend themselves with makeshift shields during clashes with riot police on February 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar’s military government has intensified a crackdown on protesters in recent days, using tear gas, charging and arresting demonstrators and journalists. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters set tires on fire on a road to slow the advance of security forces on March 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to throw Molotov cocktails at approaching security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters shout slogans to approach security forces as smoke rises from burning car tires March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Police arrest anti-coup protesters on February 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters react after riot police fired tear gas to disperse them March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Soldiers stand behind a line of riot police during a protest on February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images) myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Buddhist monks shout slogans and three-finger salutes during a protest on February 10, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
