Myanmar junta refuses ceasefire, despite earthquake death toll hits 2,719

Myanmar’s military junta has rejected ceasefire proposals aimed at facilitating rescue efforts after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake. As the death toll climbs to 2,719, with 400 missing and over 4,000 injured, military operations continue despite calls from opposition groups to pause the conf

Myanmar’s ruling military junta has dismissed ceasefire proposals from opposition and ethnic armed groups, which were intended to allow humanitarian efforts following last week’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake, local media reported on Wednesday.

General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, confirmed that military operations would proceed even as the earthquake death toll reached 2,719. Reports indicate that 400 people remain missing, and more than 4,000 have been injured, according to Myanmar Now.

The National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar’s shadow administration formed by lawmakers ousted in the February 2021 coup, had declared a two-week ceasefire starting March 30. A similar proposal was made by ethnic armed groups, including the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army.

Although rebel groups had temporarily halted attacks after the disaster, Hlaing accused them of using the break to regroup and train fighters.

“While some ethnic armed groups are not currently engaging in combat, they are using this time to strengthen their forces for future attacks. As this poses a security threat, military operations will continue,” he stated at a fundraising event in Naypyidaw on Tuesday.

Myanmar remains embroiled in ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup, with the junta fighting various armed ethnic groups and pro-democracy forces, including the NUG’s military wing, the People’s Defense Force.

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