Rebels accuse Myanmar military of aerial assaults following devastating earthquake

Myanmar's military junta has continued its air strike campaign despite the aftermath of the country’s devastating earthquake, with rebel groups accusing the military of launching an aerial assault shortly after the tremors struck.

A rebel group, the Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA), reported that seven of its fighters were killed in an air strike that occurred shortly after the massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit on March 28, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The earthquake, which has claimed at least 1,700 lives and caused widespread destruction, has severely affected thousands of homes and buildings across Myanmar.

In the wake of the disaster, many armed groups, including the People’s Defence Force (PDF), an anti-coup militia, announced a temporary pause in their military operations to allow for humanitarian relief efforts. The PDF declared that it would halt offensive military actions for two weeks, focusing only on defensive operations during this period. The National Unity Government, a shadow government formed by anti-junta forces, urged international organizations and relief agencies to provide much-needed assistance to the affected population.

However, despite the humanitarian crisis, Myanmar’s military junta has not relented in its efforts to suppress the array of ethnic minority armed groups and anti-coup fighters. The DPLA, which operates in northern Shan state, reported that five military aircraft attacked its base in Naungcho township, causing significant casualties among its forces.

By Vafa Guliyeva