Myanmar military broadens internet crackdown as anti-coup protests grow

The big picture: The outages came as thousands of people took to the streets to protest Monday's military coup.

• The country's army declared a one-year state of emergency after taking power and detaining Suu Kyi and other top ruling party leaders.
• The coup followed escalating tensions between the civilian government and the military following last November's elections, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide. The military called the elections unfair.
• The international community, including the United States, has largely condemned the coup and urged Myanmar's military leaders to "adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law."

Between the lines: "The communication blockages are a stark reminder of the progress Myanmar is in danger of losing after Monday’s coup plunged the nation back under direct military rule after a nearly decade-long move toward greater openness and democracy," AP noted.

• "During Myanmar’s previous five decades of military rule, the country was internationally isolated and communication with the outside world strictly controlled," the news agency added.