Despite declaring a temporary ceasefire following the major earthquake on the 28th of last month (local time), the Myanmar military reportedly attacked rebel forces about 70 times.
According to major local foreign media on the 5th, the National Unity Government (NUG), the interim government of Myanmar's democratic camp, claimed that there were 68 airstrikes and shelling attacks by the military regime since the earthquake occurred.
The NUG stated that during this period, 68 civilians, including one child and 15 women, were killed due to military attacks.
On the 28th (local time), a building collapsed in Mandalay City, Myanmar due to a strong earthquake. Photo by Yonhap News.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed the previous day that the military regime had attacked rebel forces 53 times, including airstrikes, since the earthquake, and carried out 16 attacks even after the ceasefire announcement. The OHCHR criticized the military regime for restricting humanitarian aid needed by earthquake victims in areas controlled by anti-military forces.
The death toll announced by the military regime rose to 3,354 as of that day. The number of injured and missing were reported as 4,850 and 220, respectively.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck central Myanmar on the 28th of last month caused significant damage in several regions, including the capital Naypyidaw and the second-largest city Mandalay.
The military regime announced on the 2nd that it would declare a ceasefire with rebel forces until the 22nd to facilitate earthquake recovery efforts.
The Myanmar military ousted the National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1, 2021, violently suppressing opposition forces. Armed resistance by opposition groups has since led to ongoing civil conflict.
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