Outgoing U.N. envoy says Myanmar has spiraled into civil war

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators carry flags during a protest against the military coup, in Dawei, Myanmar, April 27, 2021. Courtesy of Dawei Watch/via REUTERS//File Photo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Myanmar has spiraled into civil war following a military coup, the outgoing U.N. special envoy on Myanmar said on Thursday, warning that the chance to return to democracy is disappearing and signaling that further targeted sanctions could be helpful.

Christine Schraner Burgener, who is stepping down after more than three-and-a-half years in the role, told the U.N. General Assembly in June that there was a real risk of large-scale civil war after the military seized power on Feb. 1, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected government leaders.