Myanmar junta rejects ceasefire proposals as quake deaths mount

NAYPYIDAW – Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has rejected ceasefire proposals from rebel groups seeking to facilitate aid to areas impacted by the deadly earthquake on March 28 as concerns mount over how the civil conflict could hinder relief efforts.

A pro-democracy shadow government allied to detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi declared a two-week ceasefire following the quake in central Myanmar that has killed at least 2,700, according to the junta’s count.

With the figure likely to grow, another alliance of rebel groups that had made substantial territorial gains against the regime also announced it would not initiate offensive operations for a month.

“Some ethnic armed organisations are not currently engaged in combat but are organising and training for future attacks,” Mr Min Aung Hlaing said during a fund-raising event on April 1 in Naypyidaw, the country’s capital.

“As their actions are still considered attacks, the Tatmadaw will continue to take necessary security measures,” he said, according to comments provided by the State Administration Council.

The remarks are another sign there may be little reprieve in a conflict that reignited four years ago after the military seized control of much of the nation in a coup. Even as the damage of the 7.7 magnitude quake was still being assessed, pro-democracy rebel groups reported fresh military airstrikes on Friday in areas close to the epicentre.

Ms Lway Yay Oo, spokeswoman of the northern-based Ta’ang National Liberation Army said three such bombings have occurred since the earthquake, leading to injuries and residential buildings being destroyed. “They are committing inhumane acts like always,” she said. 

Mr Min Aung Hlaing said his military hasn’t conducted operations on enemy camps, but has responded when it was attacked.

The bombing run on March 28 nevertheless drew condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups, with Amnesty International saying it’s added “to the strain of recovery efforts and the fear and anxiety of survivors.”

For now, the military is tightly managing access to the areas it controls that sustained heavy damage including Naypyidaw and Mandalay, a city of over a million people. 

“The earthquake has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing Myanmar’s people and underscored the need for sustained international attention to the broader crisis,” the UN office for Myanmar said in a statement on April 1.

“All sides must urgently allow space for humanitarian relief and ensure that aid workers can operate in safety.” BLOOMBERG

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.