World

Myanmar junta announces temporary ceasefire after quake

By AAP Newswire

Apr 3, 2025

Myanmar's military rulers say a three-week ceasefire will help earthquake reconstruction efforts. -AP

Myanmar's military government has declared a three-week ceasefire in the country's civil war to facilitate rescue and reconstruction efforts following a deadly earthquake.

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The ceasefire is effective immediately and will last until April 22, according to a statement from the military leadership.

In its nightly news bulletin, state-run MRTV said the ceasefire was to facilitate rehabilitation of the country after the disaster.

Several key rebel groups had previously announced a one-month ceasefire.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck primarily in the country's second-largest city, Mandalay, the Sagaing region and the capital Naypyidaw.

The tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, more than 1000km away.

Five days after the disaster, the military government reported the death toll at nearly 2900.

Criticism of the junta, which has ruled the country with brutal force since a coup in early 2021, has been mounting in Myanmar.

The generals have been at war with sections of their own population in the multi-ethnic state and, according to reports, continued air strikes on armed opposition groups even after the earthquake, killing dozens.

with DPA

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press