Synopsis
Myanmar's military junta has declared a temporary ceasefire until April 22 to aid relief efforts after a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake resulted in over 3,000 deaths and thousands injured. The ceasefire aims to facilitate humanitarian operations amid ongoing conflict with rebels.Key Takeaways
- Temporary ceasefire until April 22.
- Over 3,000 fatalities reported.
- 4,715 injuries and 341 missing.
- Military operations to continue if ceasefire is violated.
- 66 aftershocks recorded on Thursday.
Naypyidaw, April 3 (NationPress) The military junta of Myanmar has declared a temporary ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with rebels until April 22 to support relief and recovery efforts after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has led to over 3,000 fatalities, with 4,715 injuries and 341 individuals unaccounted for.
The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar released a statement late Wednesday, emphasizing that this ceasefire is a gesture of compassion and understanding towards the victims of the earthquake nationwide. The ceasefire aims to expedite rescue and recovery operations while fostering peace and stability, and it will be in effect from April 2 to April 22.
The statement further highlighted that the catastrophic earthquake on March 28, along with its subsequent aftershocks, has caused extensive destruction to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, leading to numerous casualties. The nation is committed to continuing its rescue and reconstruction efforts, it asserted.
This powerful earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, was followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock shortly thereafter, impacting multiple countries and resulting in significant loss of life and property in Myanmar's Mandalay region.
According to the statement, during this ceasefire period, all ethnic armed groups and other military factions are prohibited from obstructing or attacking civilian transport routes, endangering lives or public property, assaulting security force camps dedicated to law enforcement, attacking military bases, reorganizing forces that threaten peace, or engaging in territorial expansion. Any violations will prompt the defence forces to take necessary actions to safeguard the populace, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Previously, Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar's junta, dismissed ceasefire proposals from Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) and announced that military operations would persist. This stance has directly hampered humanitarian efforts amid the rising toll from the earthquake's devastation.
“While some ethnic armed groups may currently refrain from active combat, they are preparing and training for future assaults. This is considered a form of aggression, and thus, the military will execute necessary defense operations,” he stated during a fundraising event in Naypyidaw.
In the meantime, Myanmar recorded 66 aftershocks on Thursday morning, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, as reported by the country’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
