Myanmar’s military junta continues to be part of the bombing of war-torn countries, even after hundreds of people have been evacuated, with the most powerful earthquakes dead for over a century.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending a powerful impact to neighboring China and Thailand. At least 1,700 people have been killed, 3,400 injured and more than 300 remain missing in Myanmar alone, said the military-run government continued to assess the full extent of the disaster on Sunday.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake is the largest hit Myanmar since 1912, destroying civilian infrastructure, including the major highways running down the country’s spine. Many of the worst areas have yet to reach the official institutions. Most rescue operations are carried out by local residents by hand removing the tiled rubber.
Crossing the Bangkok border, rescuers raced to find survivors trapped under the tiled rub of a 33-storey skyscraper. At least 17 people have been killed in the Thai capital, 32 people were injured on Sunday evening, and 83 are still missing.
Myanmar’s UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said at least three government airstrikes took place in the Sagan area, which is largely dominated by rebels, hours after the storming on Friday. “I am calling on the junta to halt and stop any of the military operations. This is completely outrageous and unacceptable,” he told BBC Burmese.
Irrawaddy News also reported that the military had airstrikes on civilians in Chaung-u Township on Friday evening, just two hours after the earthquake struck.
The exiled government representing the Aung San Suu Key-led civilian government that was expelled in the 2021 coup has accused the military of “inhumanity” to launch a strike during an unprecedented natural disaster.
Nug spokesman Zaw Kyaw told the Independent that Junta had “utilized” the earthquake to attack targets in Myanmar’s rebellion-controlled areas “beyond words.”
“Myanmar was hit hard by the strongest earthquake in modern Myanmar history, losing life, many missing and affecting millions,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we have heard reports that the junta is exploding civilian targets in resist-controlled liberation areas, even just hours after the catastrophic earthquake,” he said.
“It’s incredible. It’s inhumane, it’s inhumane, from its military and its leaders. And it’s not surprising that they don’t care about people’s lives.”
On Saturday evening, Nug announced a unilateral suspension on all “aggressive military operations” except for all “aggressive military operations” in areas affected by the earthquake that began on Sunday.
The announcement said the defense forces of its armed wings of people “will work with the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to ensure security, transportation, temporary rescue and medical camps in the areas it manages.”
“We call on all ethnic groups and citizens to actively cooperate with pseudonyms and revolutionary forces in providing comprehensive emergency rescue and relief assistance to earthquake victims,” ​​the statement said.
The earthquake on Friday forced the junta leader Min Aung Freen to issue a rare appeal for international aid, and the military allowed foreign governments to send their aid workers to the country for the first time since the 2021 coup.
Julie Bishop, the envoy of Myanmar’s UN Secretary-General, urged both sides to stop the enemy so that aid could reach those affected by the earthquake.
After speaking with Australians on Saturday, the former Australian government minister warned that the disaster would exacerbate the situation already important for Myanmar people.
“Now, the situation becomes even more urgent and miserable, and we are calling on all parties for conflict to stop all violence, so we can focus our attention, resources and efforts on supporting those in desperate need.”
