Rocked By Civil War, Myanmar Is Shaken by Powerful Quake

Myanmar’s death toll from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake topped 1,700 by Monday, prompting the country’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) – the elected government in exile – to declare a two-week, unilateral, partial ceasefire to facilitate emergency relief operations across quake-hit areas also ravaged by the country’s ongoing civil war, the Associated Press reported.

The earthquake – Myanmar’s strongest in over a century – struck Friday near the central city of Mandalay, toppling buildings, collapsing bridges, damaging roads, and causing widespread destruction in the city and surrounding regions, including the capital Naypyidaw. Officials said more than 3,400 people were injured, and 139 were reported missing, with the casualty count expected to rise.

Hospitals in the region were overwhelmed, and critical infrastructure – including the air traffic control tower at Naypyidaw International Airport – was destroyed, delaying the arrival of aid.

Relief operations have been severely hindered by damaged transportation networks and Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has displaced more than three million people and made several regions inaccessible.

Myanmar’s civil war erupted after the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, sparking protests. The junta’s crackdowns on dissent have drawn condemnation, while the resistance movement – supported by ethnic armed groups – continues to push for a return to democracy.

The NUG’s ceasefire – effective Sunday – meant that its armed wing, the People’s Defense Force, would halt offensive operations in affected areas and cooperate with international agencies to ensure the safe delivery of aid while reserving the right to act in self-defense.

Meanwhile, international support began flowing in despite logistical hurdles.

China pledged $13.8 million and deployed 135 personnel, while Russia sent 120 rescuers and a medical team – both countries are allies of Myanmar’s military junta.

The United Nations allocated $5 million for immediate aid, while other nations, including India, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, also dispatched assistance.

Despite the ceasefire, Myanmar’s ruling military junta reportedly continued airstrikes on Saturday in quake-affected Kayin and Shan states.

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews condemned the military’s actions as “outrageous,” warning that ongoing conflict would jeopardize relief operations, Australia’s Broadcasting Corporation wrote. There has been no official response from the junta to the NUG’s ceasefire offer.

The quake also affected neighboring Thailand, causing extensive damage and killing 17 people, mostly in a Bangkok high-rise collapse. Rescue operations continued over the weekend as dozens of people remained unaccounted for.

Seismologists warned that Myanmar’s dense population and vulnerable building structures amplified the destruction, with further aftershocks likely.

The US Geological Survey estimated that fatalities in Myanmar could still rise significantly in the coming days.