Fighting continues in some areas despite temporary ceasefire
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The NUG has announced a temporary ceasefire to provide emergency relief to the people affected by the earthquake, but fighting is still ongoing in some areas, and the NUG's announcement has no effect on its subordinate groups, said U Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the ThayNinGa Institute for Strategic Studies.
The powerful earthquake that struck on March 28 caused many casualties and damage in Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Naypyidaw Council Territory, and Shan State.
Therefore, the NUG announced a two-week ceasefire starting on March 30. Similarly, some armed groups, including the KIO (Kachin Independence Organization), have also announced a ceasefire.
Despite the announcement, fighting intensified as the KIA and PDF launched an attack in the earthquake-hit Intaw Township, Sagaing Region, and as the AA (Arakan Army) launched an attack in Nyaung Zou Village, Padaung Township, Bago Region, fighting intensified between the two sides.
In addition, the PDF group attacked a vehicle that was coming to Sagaing to help with earthquake relief efforts by planting mines, and the PDF group also fired on the Tanyaung power station in Salin, despite the power outages caused by the earthquake.
Similarly, on April 1, U Aye Maung, the leader of the people's militia in Ye Township, Mon State, was shot and killed by the Ye Belu group under the NUG while sitting in a tea shop.
U Thein Tun Oo said that the NUG's statement was only issued for political gain and had no effect on the subordinate organizations.
“There is nothing more to say except that the statement was made for political gain. People may see they have sympathy, but if they are fighting on the ground, the statement they make is meaningless. It’s simply a statement they want to issue. It shows they cannot negotiate with those below them, and it indicates a lack of control between the leadership and the lower ranks. Furthermore, the statement was made at the top, while the subordinates pretended not to know,” U Thein Tun Oo told The Statesman Journal.
Furthermore, U Hla Thein, spokesperson for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), said that waging a war while the people are suffering from the earthquake is an uncivilized act.
“We already know that 7.7 is one of the largest earthquakes in the world. So, while the world is recognizing and helping our country, we, as Myanmar, should come together and help and support it during this period. If we don’t do that, we will not be able to fight back,” U Hla Thein told The Statesman.
The Tatmadaw has declared a temporary ceasefire from April 2 to 22, 2025, according to a statement from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces. During this period, armed groups that interfere with communication routes, cause harm to the public's lives and property, attack military bases, disrupt military headquarters, gather forces, prepare for war, or attempt to expand territory will face necessary countermeasures, the statement added. –