Yangon  - A series of small bombs went off in the suburbs of Yangon Wednesday and Thursday in what appeared to be an act of defiance against the ruling junta, military sources said.

Altogether six explosions were reported in Hlaing Tha Yar and Shwe Pauk Kan townships at about midnight Wednesday or early Thursday morning. There were no reported injuries or damage from the bombs, which were placed in isolated areas away from crowds, sources said.

Political observers speculated that the bombs might be a show of defiance against the ruling junta, marking the 21st anniversary of the Myanmar's military's crackdown on a pro-democracy movement.

On September 18, 1988, General Saw Maung seized power and launched a brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests that left an estimated 3,000 people dead.

Myanmar remains under military rule today. (dpa)