Military leader Min Aung Hlaing announced that despite earthquake damage, the military will continue its defense operations and warfare. He made this statement during a donation acceptance ceremony for earthquake relief in Naypyidaw. Min Aung Hlaing, who forcibly seized power from the civilian government through armed force, stated that they are monitoring ethnic armed organizations’ activities and will continue necessary military operations. He claimed the military has never initiated attacks on ethnic armed groups’ camps but only responded when attacked.
Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Mandalay and Sagaing regions on March 28, the military council conducted airstrikes on five locations across different states and regions. They targeted Kan Gyi village and Naung Lin village in Naung Cho Township, Lei Wa village in KNU Brigade 7 territory in Karen State, Nwe Khwe village in Chaung-U Township in Sagaing Region, and villages east of the Sittaung River in Pyay Township. All these attacks occurred during and within hours after the earthquake.
Between March 30 and April 1, military council attacks continued to cause civilian casualties and injuries. In Zin Chaung village in Kyaukphyu Township, one monk and two civilians were killed while seven others, including a senior monk and novice monks, were injured. In KIA Brigade 8 territory in Mohnyin District, jet fighter attacks killed 38 trainees and injured 28 others. In Palong village in Pauk Township, artillery fire killed 13-year-old Ma Eaindri. The military has continued its offensive operations across multiple regions, using airstrikes, artillery, and drone attacks against civilian areas, resulting in destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, despite the ongoing earthquake crisis and the NUG’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire.
