Myanmar military continues airstrikes despite deadly earthquake that kills over 1,700

Myanmar’s military junta has come under criticism from an armed resistance movement for carrying out airstrikes on villages even as the country grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has claimed around 1,700 lives.

The Karen National Union, one of Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armed groups, accused the junta of continuing airstrikes on civilian areas despite the widespread suffering caused by the disaster.

In a statement on March 30, the group said that instead of focusing on relief efforts, the military was prioritising attacks on its own people.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck an area under junta control, but its impact extended across regions, including territories held by armed resistance groups.

On March 30, the opposition National Unity Government, which includes remnants of the government ousted in 2021, said anti-junta militias under its command would pause all offensive military action for two weeks.

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Mr Richard Horsey, the senior Myanmar adviser at Crisis Group, said some anti-junta forces have halted their offensives, but fighting continues elsewhere.

“The regime also continues to launch airstrikes, including in affected areas. That needs to stop,” he said. He added that the regime was not providing much visible support in quake-hit areas.

“Local fire brigades, ambulance crews, and community organisations have mobilised, but the military - who would normally be mobilised to support in such a crisis - are nowhere to be seen,” Mr Horsey said.

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With inputs from agencies