Photos: A look back at the protests that overtook Myanmar after the 2021 coup

The takeover sparked an armed resistance movement, with powerful ethnic minority militias and people’s defense forces supporting Myanmar’s main opposition.

By RFA staff

The military junta declared a state of emergency four years ago on Feb. 1, 2021, when it arrested the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and top officials from her government in an army takeover which reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of earlier military rule.

The takeover sparked an armed resistance movement, with powerful ethnic minority militias and people’s defense forces that support Myanmar’s main opposition now controlling large parts of the country.

The military government is currently facing its greatest challenge since taking power and is on the defensive in much of the country.

Here’s a look back at the protests that transpired in the days and weeks after Feb. 1, 2021:

An anti-coup protester aims an improvised weapon on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery An anti-coup protester aims an improvised weapon on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Protesters chant slogans and wave flags during an anti-coup protest at Sule Square on February 17, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters chant slogans and wave flags during an anti-coup protest at Sule Square on February 17, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Mourners make three-fingered salutes 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, on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Mourners make three-fingered salutes 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, on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
\A man holds up an image of General Min Aung Hliang with a cross drawn over it during an anti-coup march on February 06, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery \A man holds up an image of General Min Aung Hliang with a cross drawn over it during an anti-coup march on February 06, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Residents ride a bicycle past tires set alight by anti-coup protesters at a blockade on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Residents ride a bicycle past tires set alight by anti-coup protesters at a blockade on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters sit behind makeshift shields featuring an image of military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters sit behind makeshift shields featuring an image of military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
A protester makes a three-finger salute in front of a row of riot police, who are holding roses given to them by protesters, on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery A protester makes a three-finger salute in front of a row of riot police, who are holding roses given to them by protesters, on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Riot police man a barrier in front of the Yangon City Hall on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Riot police man a barrier in front of the Yangon City Hall on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
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 at and arresting protesters and journalists.
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 at and arresting protesters and journalists. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
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)
People make three-finger salutes during an anti-coup march on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery People make three-finger salutes during an anti-coup march on February 6, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Mourners prepare to carry the body of Aung Kaung Htet, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, in a coffin during his funeral on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Mourners prepare to carry the body of Aung Kaung Htet, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, in a coffin during his funeral on March 21, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Protesters cover themselves with large plastic sheets to protect themselves from possible water cannon use against them on February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters cover themselves with large plastic sheets to protect themselves from possible water cannon use against them on February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
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 at and arresting protesters and journalists.
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 at and arresting protesters and journalists. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Protesters set fire to tires on a road to slow the progress of security forces on March 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Protesters set fire to tires on a road to slow the progress of security forces on March 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters prepare to throw molotov cocktails towards approaching security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to throw molotov cocktails towards approaching security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters shout slogans towards approaching security forces as smoke rises from burning car tires on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters shout slogans towards approaching security forces as smoke rises from burning car tires on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters prepare to use slingshots against security forces on March 28, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)
Police arrest anti-coup protesters on February 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Police arrest anti-coup protesters on February 27, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Anti-coup protesters react after riot police fired tear gas to disperse them on March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Anti-coup protesters react after riot police fired tear gas to disperse them on March 2, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Military soldiers stand behind a line of riot police during a protest on February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Military soldiers stand behind a line of riot police during a protest on February 9, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Hkun Lat/Getty Images)
Buddhist monks shout slogans and make three-finger salutes during a protest on February 10, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar.
myanmar-coup-2021-photo-gallery Buddhist monks shout slogans and make three-finger salutes during a protest on February 10, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Getty Images)