On April 2, Myanmar’s ruling military junta announced a 20-day ceasefire following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake last week. The ceasefire came after continued attacks on civilian and military targets. In a statement, the junta said that the ceasefire will be observed as long as its opponents neither conduct offensives nor regroup. Since the announcement, 16 attacks carried out by the junta have been reported to the United Nations.
[RESPONSE]
On April 2, Myanmar’s ruling military junta announced a 20-day ceasefire following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake last week. The ceasefire came after continued attacks on civilian and military targets. In a statement, the junta said that the ceasefire will be observed as long as its opponents neither conduct offensives nor regroup. Since the announcement, 16 attacks carried out by the junta have been reported to the United Nations. It is also alleged to be confiscating and blocking humanitarian aid intended for earthquake victims.
Meanwhile, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), the exiled National Unity Government’s paramilitary wing, announced a two-week break in offensive operations to allow for recovery in affected areas on March 29, the day after the earthquake hit. According to the NUG, it has begun its own search and rescue operations and has dedicated USD 1 million to humanitarian aid.
Less than three hours after the earthquake, bombs began dropping in northern Shan State, where the PDF and its ally, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA, are active. Seven were killed in the strikes. The Tatmadaw, the junta’s armed forces, had also attacked Chaung-U, which is located right in the earthquake’s epicentre. Additionally, a Mandalay-bound Chinese Red Cross aid convoy escorted by the TNLA was shot at by junta forces and forced to turn around on April 1. These attacks have received condemnation from international organizations such as the United Nations, which called them “completely outrageous and unacceptable” (Henschke, 2025).
The earthquake struck in the centre of junta territory, impacting major cities, including Mandalay and Naypyidaw. As of April 7, it is confirmed that over 3,500 people have been killed by the earthquake.
This earthquake and subsequent military action present yet another challenge for war-torn Myanmar, which has been embroiled in conflict since 2021, when the Tatmadaw seized power in a coup. Since then, the Tatmadaw has fought with the PDF and numerous ethnic armed organizations, killing thousands of civilians and displacing millions in the process.
Works Cited
Lamb, K. and Ratcliffe, R. (2025, April 1). Myanmar junta accused of blocking aid for earthquake victims as airstrikes continue. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/myanmar-earthquake-junta-accused-blocking-aid
Henschke, R. (2025, March 29). Myanmar junta continues air strikes after devastating earthquake. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7x7r8m3xlo
National Unity Government (2025, April 4). We would like to report to the public on the actions taken by the National Unity Government in the Sagaing earthquake emergency response within a week. https://nugmyanmar.org/earthquake-2025/earthquake-emergency-response/
Zan, H. H. (2025, April 2). Myanmar Junta Airstrike Kills Dozens of KIA Recruits Amid Quake Relief Efforts. The Irrawaddy. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-airstrike-kills-dozens-of-kia-recruits-amid-quake-relief-efforts.html
ABC News (2025, April 6). United Nations accuses Myanmar military of breaching its own ceasefire and restricting aid after earthquake. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-05/un-accuses-myanmar-military-of-breaking-its-own-ceasefire/105140922
Ewe, K. (2024, April 2). Myanmar military announces temporary ceasefire. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2ydkvxdvno