Myanmar Earthquake: Airstrikes Persist Despite Ceasefire Agreement

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In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar last week, the country’s military has continued to launch attacks—including airstrikes—despite widespread devastation and a declared ceasefire.

“The military’s operations have persisted even after the earthquake, with some airstrikes taking place soon after the tremors ended,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, she called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged a shift in focus toward aiding those affected by the natural disaster. She also echoed High Commissioner Volker Türk’s appeal for a comprehensive political resolution to end the conflict that escalated after the military coup in February 2021.

According to recent figures from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), there have been at least 61 reported military actions across Myanmar since the earthquake struck—including 16 incidents that occurred after the military announced a ceasefire, set to begin on 2 April.

In response, a coalition of opposition armed groups has declared a temporary suspension of offensive operations to allow emergency relief efforts.

Military tactics have become increasingly sophisticated and alarming. James Rodehaver, who leads OHCHR’s Myanmar team, detailed a new form of assault involving modified paragliders. “These are individual operatives using hang-gliders powered by backpack fans to quietly navigate above communities and drop handheld explosives on civilian areas,” he explained.

Quake-Stricken Areas Face Enormous Challenges

The earthquake, which hit at 12:50 p.m. local time on 28 March, caused widespread destruction throughout central Myanmar. Affected regions include Mandalay—the country’s second-largest city—as well as Sagaing, Magway, Bago, the capital Nay Pyi Taw, and the eastern and southern parts of Shan State.

Initial assessments highlight severe damage to essential infrastructure such as hospitals, roads, and bridges. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that broken power and water systems are further limiting access to healthcare, raising the risk of disease outbreaks including those related to contaminated food and water.

Widespread Structural Damage

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has launched a $16 million emergency appeal to assist 1.2 million people. According to their estimates, up to 80 percent of buildings in Mandalay may have collapsed.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch reported that the agency has already dispatched emergency supplies—such as plastic sheeting and cooking sets—to roughly 25,000 people affected in Mandalay, Bago, Sagaing, Nay Pyi Taw, and Shan State.

However, humanitarian access remains a major challenge. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the earthquake affected 136 townships, with about a quarter of them located in areas not under government control—making aid delivery particularly difficult.

Adding to the crisis, internet and telecommunications blackouts—reportedly imposed by the military—have severely limited the ability of humanitarian organizations to communicate, coordinate, and assess needs on the ground. UN human rights spokesperson Shamdasani emphasized that this information blackout has significantly worsened the scale of the disaster and hindered life-saving efforts.

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Image Credit: UNICEF / Myanmar