Junta extends ceasefire in earthquake-hit Myanmar until May 31

ISTANBUL

The Burmese military junta has extended the ceasefire against ethnic rebels until the end of May amid efforts to mitigate the fallout of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, state media reported.

The Myanmar Defense Forces chief said the temporary ceasefire period would be further extended from May 6 to May 31.

The chief said the defense forces “continued to extend the temporary ceasefire in order to fully promote disaster relief and reconstruction, safeguard national interests, and help establish lasting, real peace and national stability.”

Myanmar was hit by a strong earthquake on March 28, which killed nearly 3,800 and left tens of thousands homeless.

The earthquake also rattled neighboring Thailand, where at least 86 people were killed while 14 others remain missing.

Following the quake, the military junta—which seized power in a 2021 coup—declared a ceasefire on April 2. That truce was later extended.

Myanmar is experiencing a prolonged ethnic conflict, mostly in northern parts, where ethnic armed groups have been clashing with the ruling military junta in recent months. The violence has displaced thousands and raised concerns about the conflict spilling over into Thailand.

Notably, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is expected to travel to Russia, on his second such trip this year, to attend the annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow.