Myanmar鈥檚 military has reportedly conducted dozens of attacks since the devastating earthquake hit the country, including at least 16 since a temporary truce was announced this week, the UN said on Friday.
A brutal multi-sided conflict has engulfed Myanmar since 2021, when Min Aung Hlaing鈥檚 military wrested power from the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Following reports of sporadic clashes even after last Friday鈥檚 quake that has killed more than 3,000 people, the junta joined its opponents on Wednesday in calling a temporary halt to hostilities for relief to be delivered.
But the United Nations rights office has received reports of more than 60 attacks carried out by the military since the earthquake.
鈥楢nd there have been 16 reports, credible reports, of airstrikes on-going in different parts of the country, including areas impacted by the earthquakes, since the ceasefire went into effect on April 2,鈥� James Rodehaver, head of the rights office鈥檚 Myanmar team told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Bangkok.
Just moments before, rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters the number of reported attacks was 14, but Rodehaver said the office had received 鈥榯wo more such attacks鈥� since the briefing began.
UN rights chief Volker Turk meanwhile insisted in a statement that the announced truce must be followed by immediate and unrestricted access by rescue and humanitarian workers to all those in need.
鈥業 urge a halt to all military operations, and for the focus to be on assisting those impacted by the quake, as well as ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian organisations that are ready to support,鈥� he said.
鈥業 hope this terrible tragedy can be a turning point for the country towards an inclusive political solution.鈥�
