In the aftermath of a powerful earthquake, Myanmar’s junta government has announced a temporary two-week ceasefire to aid rescue and relief efforts in the war-torn country.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the ceasefire was declared on Wednesday (April 2) and broadcast on state-run MRTV. The military high command stated that the truce would remain in effect until April 22 as a gesture of sympathy for those affected by last Friday’s disaster.
AP reports that this announcement follows a unilateral temporary ceasefire declared by anti-military resistance groups.
The Myanmar military warned that these groups must not launch attacks against the state or use the ceasefire period to reorganize, or else the army would take "necessary action."
The earthquake, measuring 7.7 in magnitude, struck northwestern Sagaing city in central Myanmar last Friday. Several aftershocks followed, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor. The disaster caused widespread destruction, with buildings collapsing, roads and bridges breaking apart, and dams failing, leaving many people trapped under the rubble.
