Over 200 killed in at least 243 Myanmar military attacks since quake: UN

UN condemns Myanmar military for ongoing attacks post-earthquake ceasefire, emphasizing need for civilian protection and humanitarian aid access.

The United Nations decried on Friday (May 2, 2025) continuing deadly attacks by Myanmar’s military despite a ceasefire declared following a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 3,800 people.

"The unremitting violence inflicted on civilians, despite a ceasefire nominally declared in the wake of the devastating earthquake on 28 March, underscores the need for the parties to commit to, and implement, a genuine and permanent nationwide halt to hostilities and return to civilian rule," UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.

A multi-sided conflict has engulfed Myanmar since 2021, when Min Aung Hlaing's military wrested power from the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Following the 7.7 magnitude quake, the junta joined opponents in calling a temporary halt to hostilities on April 2 for relief to be delivered.

But Turk said that since the quake and up to April 29, "the military has reportedly launched at least 243 attacks, including 171 air strikes, with over 200 civilians reportedly killed".

"The vast majority of attacks," he added, had happened after the ceasefire took effect. While the military renewed once its "largely unobserved ceasefire", the truce had been allowed to expire on April 30, Turk said.

"It is imperative that the military immediately stop all attacks on civilians and civilian objects," he insisted.