Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar(01-04-2025 to 15-04-2025)

Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar

(01-04-2025 to 15-04-2025)

Over (50) months ago, on 1 February 2021, the military junta attempted an illegal coup, toppled the civilian government, and unlawfully detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior members of the civilian government, parliamentarians and activists. Since then, the military junta has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made people suffer tremendously as a result of its inhumane and disproportionate acts.

As of 15 April 2025, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the military has ruthlessly killed 6,473people and arrested another 28,968 people. 22,062 people remain in detention and 168 people have been sentenced to death, including 119 post-coup death row prisoners and 44 in absentia since 1 February 2021, when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians. Four democracy activists who were sentenced to death were executed by the military junta in July 2022.

Moreover, over 3.5 million people are being displaced. 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Among them, over 10.4 million are women and girls. 112,485 houses were burned down throughout Myanmar since the illegal coup until the end of December 2024, according to a report of 27 February 2025 by Data for Myanmar.

Unfortunately, the suffering of the people has been compounded by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Myanmar on 28 March. Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region and Nay Pyi Taw were among the hardest hit. Due to the earthquake, more than 3,500 people killed, over 5,000 people injured. Over 3.2 million people were affected. Infrastructures as well as houses and religious facilities were severely destroyed.

Amidst such people suffering, the military junta has continued carrying out of aerial and artillery attacks across the country.

Crimes committed Across Myanmar by the Junta Troops and its affiliates

Crimes perpetrated by the junta troops and its affiliates, militias across Myanmar include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of civilians, including children. These atrocities have led to widespread displacement, destruction of civilian properties, and a climate of fear and insecurity among the civilian population. The junta's widespread and systematic tactics of brutality are aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining its grip on power, regardless of the human cost and violations of international law.

According to the data collected by AAPP, from April 1 to 15, 2025, the junta killed (15) people in total across the country; (6) women and (9) men, including (7) children under the age of 18. These are numbers that have been verified. Among them, (13) were killed by the junta’s airstrikes, marking the highest cause of death. Among the (15) fatalities, Chin State recorded the highest number of deaths, totalling (6). Additionally, a total of 47 civilians killed during the stated period, whose identities have yet to be verified, have also been documented separately.

War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Mass Murders Committed by the Military Junta

Military Junta Continues Attacks During Earthquake Crisis, Killing 72 People

The military junta conducted 92 shelling attacks and airstrikes between 28 March to 8 April, killing 72 people and injuring 91 amid the earthquake devastation, according to the Human Rights Ministry of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG). The Ministry on 9 April reported that Sagaing and Mandalay regions, which were severely impacted by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, reported the highest numbers of junta attacks, with 18 shelling attacks and airstrikes in each region.

Junta assaults on civilian and resistance targets were reported in eight Sagaing Region townships, many of which were quake-affected. The Ministry said six people were killed and 15 injured. Junta airstrikes and shelling targeted eight Mandalay Region townships, including ones close to Mandalay city that was badly impacted by the quake. Two deaths and five injuries were reported in the attacks.

After the 28 March earthquake, NUG declared ceasefires to allow quake rescue operations. But military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing publicly vowed to continue military operations and rejected the ceasefires. Military junta airstrikes reportedly targeted Kachin Independence Army (KIA) training in Mohnyin District, Kachin State, on March 31, killing around 30 trainees and injuring 20 others.

The military junta declared a 20-day ceasefire on 2 April before Min Aung Hlaing's trip to Thailand. The call followed the shooting by junta troops on a Chinese Red Cross convoy in northern Shan State. But airstrikes continued in Kachin, Chin and Rakhine states and Mandalay, Magwe and Sagaing regions and elsewhere in the country. 

Military Junta Airstrikes Kill at Least 13 Civilians, Including Four Monks, During Thingyan Holidays

Airstrikes carried out by the military junta killed at least 13 civilians, including four monks, and injured more than a dozen others across northern and western parts of the country over the weekend, according to Myanmar Now.  The attacks, which coincided with the start of the annual Thingyan holidays, targeted at least five monasteries in Sagaing Region and other locations in Mandalay Region and Chin and Rakhine states.

The most recent strikes were reported in Sagaing's Kani Township, where two monks and a 19-year-old woman were killed on 7 April during the bombing of villages along the Chindwin River, including Tha Min Chan, Mu Htaw, and Su Lay Kone, sources said. Residents said that the military junta deployed jet fighters, Mi-35 combat helicopters, paramotors, drones, and Y-12 aircraft to launch the attacks on civilian targets. The sources added that there were no clashes near the villages that were hit on 7 April.

On 11 April 2025, locals reported an attack in Mandalay Region's Thabeikkyin Township, where a man and a woman died after two military jets dropped bombs on the village of Chaung Gyi at around 10 pm. Eight others were injured in the attack, which also destroyed 14 houses in the village located roughly 66 miles north of Mandalay. Farther north, airstrikes were also reported on 13 April in Sagaing's Wuntho, Indaw, and Kawlin townships, including one on a monastery in the village of Gyoe Taung Ywar in Wuntho and another on a monastery in Pein Hne Kone Village, Indaw Township.

Another airstrike on Nyaung Kone Village on the Shwebo-Myitkyina highway in Kawlin Township, left at least two people injured, local sources reported. Three people also sustained injuries during an airstrike on the town of Kyauktaw in Rakhine State on 13 April, and in neighbouring Chin State, a church was damaged in the town of Mindat, four days after six people, including two children, were killed in the township by an aerial assault on the village of Hpwi on 9 April.

On 12 April, an airstrike on a monastic school in Kya Khat Village about nine miles south of Depayin Town in Sagaing, killed at least five people, including three novice monks, and injured nine others. The victims were identified as an elderly man, three teenaged novice monks, and a ninth-grade student from the monastic school in Kya Khat, which was considered a safe haven for war-displaced people living in the area.

Sources said at least 50 people from Depayin had been sheltering at the monastery since last year, when resistance forces launched an offensive to capture the town. The number of fatalities from the attack is expected to rise, as several of the injured were said to be in critical condition.

Another airstrike on 12 April also killed one woman and injured four others in Taze Township, Sagaing Region, after junta warplanes dropped four bombs on a monastery and surrounding houses in Ywar Ma Village, around eight miles southwest of the junta-controlled town of Taze.

Military junta's ceasefire declaration fails to halt attacks, anti-junta forces report

A temporary ceasefire declared by the military junta on 2 April has not stopped it from carrying out air and ground attacks less than 24 hours later, Myanmar Now stated.  The three-week ceasefire was announced amid growing criticism of the military junta's operations around the country in the days after the massive earthquake on 28 March in central Myanmar, which has killed over 3,500 people and left many others homeless.

Out of compassion for the earthquake-affected people and to facilitate swift humanitarian and reconstruction operations, the junta declared a temporary ceasefire from April 2-22, the military junta said in a statement.

However, fighting continued on 3 April 2025, in parts of Kachin State, where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) reported airstrikes and ground offensives in several areas, according to Col. Naw Bu, Spokesperson of KIA. We saw that they released a ceasefire statement. However, the fighting hasn't stopped, he said, noting that the military carried out airstrikes in Bhamo and Indawgyi townships and ground offensives in Waingmaw Township, near the state capital Myitkyina, on 2 April 2025. The airstrikes in Bhamo started 2 April and continued until 3 April, he stated.

On 1 April evening, military junta forces stationed at checkpoints along the Monywa-Mandalay road raided Alakkappa, a village in Myinmu Township about 30 miles from the earthquake's epicentre, forcing residents to flee. On the same night, military junta paramotors dropped five bombs near Nwekhway, a village in Chaung-U Township close to the Monywa-Mandalay Road.

Since the earthquake, military junta attacks have been reported in various locations around the country, including Tanintharyi Region and Rakhine, Kachin, Karenni, and Shan states, killing dozens of people. On 1st April, an airstrike targeting young people travelling to Kachin State to receive military training under the KIA left at least 38 dead.

Military Junta Kills Five Civilians in Loikaw Township as Violence Continues in Karenni State

The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) told DVB that military junta forces killed five civilians and injured three others in Pekin Kaukhu Village of Loikaw Township, which is located between Loikaw and Moebye in Pekon Township of southern Shan State, on 4 April 2025.

Banyar Aung, Second Secretary of the IEC, told DVB that there was no fighting in the village and that military junta forces will only attack from a distance by air and artillery strike instead of engaging in on-the-ground combat.

Local claimed that one civilian was injured by artillery in the township's old Hkawngei Village on 4 April after the military junta's Military Operations Command (MOC) 7, located in the township, fired five artillery rounds. The previous day, the PDF shot down one of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used as suicide drones in an attack on new Hkawngei Village in Pekon on 3 April. It did not report if the second drone hit its target. No casualties were reported.

A suicide drone is a UAV designed to carry explosives or other payloads and deliberately crash into a target, which will make it detonate upon impact. Both Hkawngei villages, old and new, are located in the Hkawngei village-tract of Pekon Township in southern Shan.

The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) mentioned that military junta forces of torching six homes in Hpruso Township on 31 March. Hpruso is located 21 miles (33 km) south of Loikaw. Resistance forces claim they have controlled six towns in Karenni, including Mese on the Myanmar-Thailand border and Moebye in southern Shan, since November 11, 2023.

It launched an offensive against military junta troops in Bawlakhe and Hpasawng townships on 4 March  and has since recovered the bodies of over 60 military junta troops killed by its forces during fighting in Bawlakhe.

Military Junta Opens Fire on Chinese Red Cross Convoy Carrying Earthquake Relief Supplies

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said that the military junta opened fire on a nine-vehicle convoy of the Chinese Red Cross Society carrying relief supplies for earthquake victims in Myanmar.

It is said that the shooting took place at 9:21 p.m. on 1 April in Ummati Village, Naungcho Township. The TNLA said the convoy was headed to Mandalay and left after reporting to the military junta. The statement said the convoy turned back to Naung Cho after being shot at and is currently being guarded by the TNLA. The TNLA said it will continue to escort the convoy to its destination. On April 2, Junta spokesman admitted that they shot the Red Cross convoy.

On 1 April, the TNLA, Arakan Army (AA), and their allies announced a month-long ceasefire from 1 to 30 April to allow for the most effective relief efforts following the earthquake. The military junta said it would continue to attack groups that had declared a ceasefire on that day.  

Military Junta Airstrike Kills Six Family Members in Chin State Village

RFA reported that six members of a single family were killed and one injured when the military junta's airstrikes hit Sai Zhan Village in Te Tin Township, Chin State, around midnight on 9 April.

RFA stated that the bombing was carried out by aircraft without any fighting. Six members of a family from the house that fell died instantly. One was seriously injured, and he has been taken to a hospital. The deceased were a couple aged 43 and 40, their three sons aged 17, 14 and 5, and a 10-year-old daughter, totalling six. Another 10-year-old son survived but was injured. Sai Zhan Village is located about seven miles from Titin Township. Locals said that this incident has caused villagers to flee into the mountains in fear. The National Unity Government (NUG) announced on 9 April that up to 72 civilians had been killed in air and artillery attacks by the military junta across the country during the earthquake.

Military Junta Airstrike Kills Six Civilians Including Christian Priest in Chin State

RFA reported that six civilians, including a Christian priest, were killed and nine others injured when the military junta's airstrikes hit Phui Village in Mindat Township, Chin State, around 9 p.m. on 9 April. A resident of Mindat told RFA that there was no fighting in Mindat, which is controlled by the Chin State, and that two bombs were dropped at around 9 p.m. "The same plane came and hit twice. It dropped two 500-pound bombs. Among the dead were priests, children and the elderly. Of the nine injured, three were seriously injured."

The deceased were two children, an 8-month-old and a 7-year-old, a 68-year-old man, a 72-year-old woman, a 36-year-old Christian minister, and a 38-year-old disabled man. It is also said that more than a dozen churches and homes were destroyed by the bombing.

RFA contacted the military junta's Chin State spokesperson, State Secretary U Aung Cho, regarding these circumstances, but there was no answer. Phui Village has over 80 households and is about 13 miles from Mindat town.

The National Unity Government (NUG) announced on 9 April that 70 civilians, including 6 children under the age of 18 and 30 women, had been killed in 92 airstrikes and artillery shelling by the military junta across the country since the powerful earthquake on 28 March.

Human Rights Abuses  

Myanmar Now stated that the junta-controlled Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) is set to auction timber on 2 May 2025, according to a notice on the enterprise’s website. The sale comes just days after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that devastated the country’s second-largest city Mandalay and other areas last 28 March 2025.

MTE is a key revenue earner for the junta and a major source of foreign currency as reserves have dwindled amid an economic crisis triggered by the illegal coup. The state-owned enterprise has consequently been sanctioned by the governments of Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has a monopoly on the production, sale, and export of Myanmar timber, including teak, which is in high demand for yachts, luxury furniture, and decking.

Faith Doherty, head of the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency’s Forest campaign, said that timber should be used to rebuild after the earthquake, not sold by the junta for a profit. “The fact that under a horrific situation for the people of Burma, this regime sells one of the country’s precious natural resources is beyond belief. And the international community continues to buy Burmese teak with no regard nor care for the people of Burma. This is blood timber,” she said. 

Earlier in March, MTE published a yearly schedule of monthly tenders starting 2 April. In a separate announcement, it invited bids for 301 tonnes of teak logs, 57 cubic metres of teak boards and other processed material, and 161 tonnes of ironwood, all from locations in Yangon.

Despite Western sanctions, the international trade has continued. According to research from US-based environmental group Forest Trends, global imports of Myanmar forest products have exceeded US$1.27 billion from the military’s 2021 coup to the end of August 2024, with China being the biggest import market.

Military Junta Strictly Controls Entry to Earthquake-Affected Sagaing City

Locals who have personally witnessed the earthquake told RFA that the military junta has been strictly checking entry and exit points in and out of Sagaing City, Sagaing Region, which was hit hard by the earthquake, since the morning of 3 April.

They are said to be checking from the military junta checkpoint at the top of Sagaing Bridge. A Sagaing resident told that some civil society groups that had come to help with the earthquake were being turned away due to the checks. "Since morning, all entry and exits to the city have been blocked. As of this afternoon, vehicles are still blocked on the bridge. Some of the vehicles that were connected to us to help Sagaing Township have turned back towards Mandalay before reaching the bridge."

Thousands of cars were reportedly stuck at the entrance to the city as of noon 4th April as earthquake relief supplies were being inspected. A person who was personally checked said that the military junta checkpoint had been checking the entrances and exits of Sagaing since before the earthquake, but today, the checks are stricter than before, so it takes about 2 hours to cross the bridge. Although Sagaing Township is an area where the People's Defense Forces (PDF) are active, the National Unity Government (NUG) has announced a suspension of all offensives in all earthquake-affected areas from 30 March to 12 April.

Locals also say that the military junta has not yet provided effective assistance to earthquake-affected residents in Sagaing. 

Military Junta Restricts Earthquake Relief Operations, Requiring Prior Approval

On 5 April, Military Junta second leader Soe Win said that earthquake relief operations will only be allowed if prior approval is requested. He made the remarks during a military junta meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw on the afternoon of 5 April.

Soe Win said that aid and relief teams would need to request prior permission and would only be granted permission in cooperation with relevant officials. He said that regional and state military junta chairmen should only allow aid and relief teams and NGOs to enter the region in cooperation with the military junta's aid and relief teams.

Current earthquake relief workers told RFA that this is delaying the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in urgent need. An official from an organization working in the Mandalay, Sagaing, and Inle regions told RFA that the military junta's restrictions could result in the loss of lives, rather than the loss of lives. "If the military junta allows it, people will die. It will be like us sitting back and watching them being killed alive." International organizations, including the United Nations, are urging the military junta to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in urgent need of assistance due to the earthquake as quickly as possible.

Actions of Resistance Forces against the Junta

Resistance forces fully capture Indaw Town after eight-month offensive

Myanmar Now and many local media outlets reported that resistance forces have fully captured Indaw Town in northern Sagaing Region, near the Kachin State border, following nearly eight months of attacks.  People Defence Forces operating under the National Unity Government (NUG) and the All-Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) led the offensive. Allied resistance groups captured Japan Cave Hill, the military junta's final position in Indaw on the last week of March 2025.

Yes, they captured it tonight, the source close to the resistance forces confirmed to Myanmar Now. Many prisoners of war were taken as they surrendered and laid down their weapons. Throughout the day, military junta aircraft were dropping bombs. There were casualties on both sides. The base was jointly captured by ABSDF, Sagaing Region Special Battalion 1, and People Defence forces operating under the NUG's Military Region 1. During the battle, the military junta reportedly carried out all-day airstrikes using jet fighters and Y-12 aircraft, small propeller planes typically used for surveillance and transport, but can also conduct bombings.

After securing the hilltop base, about 40 military junta troops surrendered and were captured as prisoners. The same source said that their exact numbers and ranks are still being verified. Casualties among allied resistance forces are also still being assessed. Resistance forces seized a large Howitzer, and numerous weapons and ammunition. In December 2023, the ABSDF and allied resistance forces captured Maw Luu, located 20 miles north of Indaw. Since then, they have joined forces with ethnic armed groups, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), to launch attacks on military junta positions in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.

Mandalay PDF (MDY-PDF) and other allied resistance forces have captured Singu, Thabeikkyin, and Tagaung towns in Mandalay Region, while forces under the NUG have captured towns such as Indaw, Khamapat, Shwe Pyi Aye, and Pinlebu in Sagaing Region.

Sagaing Earthquake's Devastating Impact on Myanmar

NUG Reports Over 28,000 Houses Damaged in Earthquake, Affecting 3.3 million People

The National Unity Government (NUG) announced on 6 April that a total of 28,447 houses in Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago regions and Nay Pyi Taw were damaged by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March, affecting over 3.5 million people. According to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of the NUG, 17,637 houses were damaged in Mandalay, the hardest-hit city, 5,600 in Nay Pyi Taw, 4,745 in Sagaing, and 465 in Bago. A total of 4,931 religious buildings were damaged, and 552 schools were also affected. The statement also states that 3,047 people died and 2,593 were injured in these four townships due to the earthquake.

7.7-magnitude earthquake leaves thousands in need of aid in southern Shan State

Myanmar Now reported that recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake has left thousands of survivors in urgent need of humanitarian aid in southern Shan State's Nyaung Shwe Township.  Nearly every village needs help, a humanitarian volunteer said. There are many essentials needed, including utensils.

The earthquake killed an estimated 90 people in the township and is confirmed to have killed almost 3,000 in the country, with the confirmed death toll expected to rise. Local relief groups said casualties had been reported in at least eight villages on the shores of Inle Lake within the most heavily impacted area of southern Shan State. The quake destroyed at least 150 houses in the Tha Le U Inn village on the eastern shore.

As the earthquake hit last week people scrambled to escape their own homes, many of which were built on stilts over the water, local said. The shaking was so violent. It wasn't easy to get out of my house. I had to jump into the water as my house was about to collapse. Over nine hundred of the stilt-houses standing offshore in the lake collapsed during the earthquake.

The highest confirmed death toll was reported in Kay Lar Village tract, where 46 people including children and the elderly were killed as houses collapsed into the water. Most of the victims, including a 17-year-old and a 4-year-old, died after getting trapped in their collapsed homes. Those who were working on the floating farm at the time only narrowly escaped death, a man from Kay Lar said.

Nearly 1,000 houses were also destroyed in Nang Pang village tract on the southern shore of the lake, according to a tally by local monitoring groups. Rescue operations in the Inle Lake area are being carried out by local volunteers who are severely limited by their lack of heavy machinery and sufficient manpower. The effects of the earthquake are likely to harm the tourism industry that affords vital support to the area around Inle Lake, a popular destination for visitors thanks to its floating farms and famous vistas.

Earthquake kills at least 300 people in Tada-U, devastates ancient sites in Ava

A powerful earthquake killed at least 300 people in the town of Tada-U, while also devastating historic pagodas and religious sites in the ancient city of Ava, Mandalay Region, Myanmar Now reported. Three people died when a sightseeing tower collapsed in the city, a popular tourist hotspot in Tada-U Township, while many ancient religious buildings suffered extensive damage.

Two women and a Tuk Tuk driver were killed when the tower collapsed. Two bodies are still trapped under the debris. A riverbank near the village collapsed; but there have been no civilian casualties reported regarding the incident. Locals also told Myanmar Now on Thursday that bodies remain trapped under the rubble in Tada-U Town, five days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March.

All buildings and houses in Tada-U Town have been destroyed by the earthquake, a man from Tada-U said. The town is filled with the stench of death as bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble. The devastating earthquake killed at least 300 people in Tada-U, a town approximately eight miles southwest of Mandalay.

Survivors expressed concern over the possibility of theft as they spent multiple nights outside their collapsed homes. The earthquake in Tada-U has destroyed roads and bridges, cutting off power and communication and leaving many without food. Since 31 March, volunteer groups have distributed food, drinking water, and mosquito nets to those affected.

We have to buy food and basic necessities in Mandalay and Sagaing, the source from Oe Toke Tan Village added. But now, all the shops are closed in these cities due to the earthquake. So, we are now relying on donations. The death toll for the earthquake has reached nearly 4,000 people nationwide, with the number still expected to rise.

With the tourism industry already devastated by COVID-19 and the 2021 military coup, most residents near the ancient city of Ava have turned to day labour. And with extensive damage to many famous pagodas and religious buildings, the ancient city may never be the same. There's nothing left in Sagaing and Ava. Now, everything is gone, another source from Ava told Myanmar Now. Only piles of bricks remain.

18 Monks and 26 Others Die in Earthquake at Ma Soe Yane Monasteries

The monastery's abbots told RFA that 18 monks from the old Ma Soe Yane Monastery died in the strong earthquake, while five people and guests and 21 students from the new Ma Soy Monastery died.

The old Ma Soe Yane Temple was built over a hundred years ago, and all 12 of its buildings were completely destroyed, while the new Ma Soe Yane Temple was damaged by about 90 percent. A monk told RFA that while social welfare groups and public donors have been actively helping the former monastery, the military junta has not been effective in providing assistance.

"The earthquake damaged about ninety percent of the buildings. Except for the four modern buildings, all the old buildings that were built over a hundred years ago were destroyed. Social assistance groups and donors from the public came to help. I don't remember who the minister was from the military government. I went to see. I haven't heard of anyone coming to help effectively yet." The abbot said that the old monastery (Ma Soe Yane Taki) was built by a single monk 117 years ago. He also said that a donation pavilion will be built for its restoration.

At the new Ma Soe Yane Monastery, three of the high-rise buildings were completely destroyed, and the remaining buildings were damaged beyond habitability.  "The damage to the monastery is about ninety percent. There were only a few injured people inside the new monastery, and no deaths. 21 monks died in the new monastery when a dormitory collapsed while they were taking an exam outside. There are 47 monks who were seriously injured there. They are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals."

Aftershock Risk Remains High, NUG Cautions Public

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management under the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on 11 April that there is a 42% chance of aftershocks stronger than magnitude 5 occurring within the week leading up to 16 April. Such aftershocks may cause further damage in affected areas, the ministry warned.

The forecast is based on assessments by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which reported that as of 9 April 2025, there remains significant seismic activity in the region. The USGS also estimates that up to 160 smaller aftershocks of magnitude 3 and above may occur during the same period. The ministry urged people in quake-affected areas to remain alert and take precautionary measures, as the situation continues to evolve.

Activities of the Resistance Organizations and the National Unity Government

NUG Extends Ceasefire for Earthquake Relief, Declares Week of National Mourning

The National Unity Government (NUG) announced that it will continue to suspend offensive operations for a week from 13 April to 20 April to allow humanitarian assistance to continue in earthquake-hit areas. Following the 28 March earthquake, the NUG declared a ceasefire from 30 March to 12 April to allow for humanitarian assistance, and has now extended it.

The government has declared 13 April to 20 April as a "week of national mourning and consolation" for the Myanmar people who suffered significant loss of life and property due to the severe earthquake. During this period, all offensive operations, except defensive operations, have been suspended in the earthquake-affected areas and adjacent districts.

The statement also said that the People's Defence Army and People's Defense Units have been instructed to provide necessary assistance and protection to local and international relief teams.

KIO Declares Three-Week Ceasefire Following Earthquake in Myanmar

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) announced on the night of 2 April that it would declare a three-week ceasefire from 2 to 22 of April. During this period, all offensive operations will be suspended except for self-defense.

The KIO statement also pointed out that the military junta itself needs to adhere to its declaration of the ceasefire declaration.

The Arakan Army (AA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have also declared a ceasefire from 1 to 30 April. The aim is to conduct search and rescue operations in earthquake-stricken areas and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need as quickly and effectively as possible.

National Unity Government Reports Junta Airstrikes Hit School and Homes in Thaungtha

The National Unity Government said in their statement on 3 April 2025 that the military junta's ceasefire declaration is merely a deceptive tactic. According to the NUG's Ministry of Defence, the military junta conducted airstrikes on Seitaw Village in Thaungtha Township, Myingyan District, Mandalay Region at approximately 2:00 AM on 2 April 2025.

The attack, carried out using three paramotors and eight 120mm bombs, damaged the Yeikhaung Middle School located east of Seitaw village on the eastern side of the Thaungtha-Kyaukpadaung highway, as well as several civilian homes. The NUG statement emphasized that this incident clearly demonstrates that the military junta's announced ceasefire is merely a misleading tactic as they continue to target civilian infrastructure.

MNDAA and TNLA Pledge Continued Unity with Arakan Army Until Revolutionary Victory

The Kokang National Liberation Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) issued a statement on 10 April saying that they will overcome all difficulties and pressures together in various ways and unite with a strong spirit of alliance and brotherhood until the revolutionary victory is achieved. This was stated in a message sent on the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Arakan Army (AA).

The two brotherhoods expressed their special respect and honor to all the Rakhine people who have contributed in various ways to the dream of the Rakhine people, and said that the political goals of the AA will inevitably reach the hands of the Rakhine people in the near future. The 1027 operation, which was sponsored by the three northern brotherhoods, the AA, MNDAA, and TNLA, and implemented together with other allied forces and the Spring Revolution forces, was the best initial operation to fight the dictatorship and was a step towards achieving the revolutionary goal with the support of all the people, the statement said.

Arakan Army Releases 170 Prisoners of War and Their Families on Eve of Thingyan

Nirinsara reported that 170 prisoners of war and their families who were captured during the battle for Minbya, Rakhine State, were released by the Arakan Army (AA) on the eve of Thingyan on 13 April 2025. A man close to the (ULA/AA) in Myint Pyay Township told Nirinsara, "The AA is releasing soldiers and their families, and those associated with the military junta. They carefully communicate with their families, hold ceremonies, provide financial support, and then release them." He said the release took place on the morning of 13 April.

Those released are prisoners of war from safe and secure areas, and they are being given priority, a source close to the AA told Nirinsara. "The AA is releasing the families of the military junta members because they are in safe and secure areas. It is understood that the AA has not yet released those in areas controlled by the military junta," he said.

The Arakan Army has been taking good care of the military junta members and their families who were captured during the fighting. They were released during the Thingyan festival, which is a major holiday. In February, the Arakan Army released more than 300 prisoners of war and family members of the military junta, including 26 prisoners captured by the AA.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Calls for Ban on Arms and Dual-Use Items to Military Junta

Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, called on all Member States to halt the flow of arms, weapons, jet fuel, and dual-use items to the Myanmar military junta during his address at the 2025 Substantive Session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission in New York.

In his statement, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun highlighted the military junta's exploitation of dual-use technologies and goods against civilians since the attempted coup in 2021. He specifically mentioned how the military has used information and communication technologies for digital oppression and jet fuel for conducting indiscriminate airstrikes against civilian populations.

The Ambassador emphasized that even after the recent devastating Sagaing earthquake, which claimed more than 3,500 lives and caused extensive damage, the military junta has continued to launch "indiscriminate and disproportionate aerial attacks and bombardments on civilian populations across the country, including the earthquake-affected regions." "There is no end to the military's inhumanity, brutality and atrocities," Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated.

Myanmar Ambassador to UN Highlights Military Junta's Impact on Population Development

Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, highlighted the devastating impact of the military junta on the country's population and development during his address at the Fifty-eighth Session of the Commission on Population and Development on 8 April 2025 in New York.

In his statement, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized that the illegal military coup in February 2021 has severely undermined Myanmar's ability to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for its population. He stressed that good governance is imperative for addressing population and development issues effectively. "Since the coup, more than 6,400 people were brutally killed by the military junta. Over 3.5 million people are being displaced. Nearly 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance," the Ambassador stated.

He pointed out that many children in Myanmar now lack access to regular immunization programs and formal education. According to the Ambassador, neither assessment of demographic data nor implementation of processes toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals has been possible under the military junta's rule.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun highlighted the recent earthquake that struck Sagaing, Mandalay, and other areas on 28 March 2025 as compounding existing challenges. The disaster has resulted in more than 3,500 deaths, over 5,000 injuries, and affected more than 3.2 million people. "Some people lost their lives due to the junta's lack of natural disaster preparedness plan," he said, adding that the military junta's restrictions have prevented timely emergency humanitarian assistance from reaching all earthquake victims.

The Ambassador reported that according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 500,000 people across Myanmar have been left without access to life-saving healthcare. He further condemned the military junta for continuing to launch indiscriminate aerial attacks on civilian populations, including those in earthquake-affected areas, while recovery efforts are underway.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun concluded by appealing to the international community to show solidarity with the people of Myanmar by helping their efforts to end military dictatorship and build a federal democratic union, emphasizing that perpetrators must be held accountable.

Response of the International Community

UN Secretary-General Calls for Solution to Myanmar Conflict Amid Earthquake Crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged on 3 April that it is time for all relevant parties across Myanmar to work together to find a solution to the ongoing conflict in the country.

He called for an end to violence, the release of political prisoners, and a political process that includes a path to democracy, in order to create an opportunity for the Myanmar people from this current unsettling moment. "The United Nations will continue to push for peace and the life-saving aid that the people of Myanmar need."

UN Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher is also scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on 4 April. In addition, the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar, Julie Bishop, will also arrive in Myanmar in the coming days for peace and political talks, the UN Secretary-General said.

UNSC issues a Press Statement on Myanmar expressing deepest sympathy and condolences to those affected by the earthquake

UNSC issued a press statement on 4 April 2025 expressing deepest sympathy and condolences to those affected by the earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March. Its members recognized the need to strengthen rescue, relief and recovery efforts and to scale up immediate and rapid humanitarian assistance in response to the requests to help the people of Myanmar, supported by the international community. Moreover, it reaffirmed the importance of a safe and conducive environment to ensure the timely and effective delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to all those in need, without disruption or discrimination. 

It also stated that its members welcomed the ceasefire announcements, to create a safe and conducive environment.

UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Unrestricted Humanitarian Access to Earthquake Victims in Myanmar

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on 4 April 2025 that immediate and unrestricted access for relief and humanitarian aid must be granted to those in need in order to implement the declarations of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the military junta that halted fighting in Myanmar.

There are also thousands of political prisoners who have been unjustly detained and it is not known what is happening to them since the earthquake. They should be released immediately, he said. He also said that it is very important for international organizations and local civil society groups to be able to provide international assistance to the people of Myanmar. The military junta has reportedly continued operations, including airstrikes, following the earthquake that struck central Myanmar.

There have been at least 53 attacks in the quake-hit areas, including aircraft and drones, artillery and paramotors, and the military junta has received reports of at least 14 attacks since 2 April, when a temporary ceasefire was declared in effect. The report also states that young people who were helping with relief efforts were forcibly recruited into the army.

Sources on the ground say that areas affected by the earthquake, especially those under military control, are facing shortages of clean water, food and medicine, compounding the suffering of people who have been affected by military violence for four years after the coup. The High Commissioner for Human Rights said the military junta needed to halt military operations and help with relief efforts, and hoped that this terrible disaster would be a turning point for the country, promoting democracy and human rights.

Australia Provides Additional $7 Million in Humanitarian Assistance to Earthquake-Affected Myanmar

Australia will provide an additional $7 million in humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected people in Myanmar, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on 2 April.  This assistance includes $3.5 million through Australian NGOs and regional partners for food, water and sanitation, emergency health and education, $500,000 for emergency appeals from partners, and $3 million for emergency relief items through the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Centre (AHA CENTRE).

The Department also said that rapid response teams have been assembled to help coordinate rescue operations on the ground. The statement also said Australia is providing assistance through humanitarian organizations across the country, in line with humanitarian principles. According to credible reports, the Myanmar military junta is continuing to carry out airstrikes in the earthquake-hit areas, a move that is exacerbating the suffering of the Myanmar people and further complicating the already difficult relief efforts.

Australia also called on the military junta to immediately cease military operations and allow full humanitarian access to the affected areas. Following the 28 March earthquake in Myanmar, the Australian government announced an initial $2 million in humanitarian assistance through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

WHO Delivers Nearly 100 Tons of Medical Supplies to Earthquake-Affected Myanmar

The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered nearly 100 tons of medical supplies to Myanmar, which has been severely damaged by the earthquake, it was announced on 3 April. The aid includes medicines, surgical equipment, medical supplies, and mobile health tents for emergency treatment of those affected by the earthquake.

The WHO said in a statement that the supplies are being prepared for distribution to the most affected areas and will help hospitals and emergency responders. A state of emergency has been declared in Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw and northeastern Shan State, which were hit by the earthquake that struck 12 miles northeast of Mandalay on 28 March.

More than a week after the earthquake, many people are still missing, and according to the military junta, as of the morning of 3 April, 3086 people have died and 4,715 have been injured in the earthquake.

 The Quad Expresses Condolences to Myanmar Earthquake Victims, Pledges Over $20 Million in Aid

The United States, Australia, India, and Japan, known as The Quad, issued a statement on 3 April expressing their deepest condolences to the people of Myanmar and Thailand who were affected by the earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March. The US State Department said in a statement that the earthquake, which caused casualties, deaths, and extensive damage to infrastructure in Myanmar, is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.

It also welcomes the recent announcements of a temporary ceasefire and the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, and calls on all parties to implement these plans and create a safe environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Myanmar.

The Quad also welcomes the statements by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 29 and 30 March, as well as the support from other countries in the region. The four countries have so far pledged more than $20 million in humanitarian assistance, sending relief supplies and deploying emergency medical teams to the quake-hit areas.

The statement said they are working closely with other partners, including the ASEAN Humanitarian Coordination Center (AHA Center). The statement also said the four countries committed to working together to respond to natural disasters and challenges to regional stability and security, for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

European Union Provides Additional €10 Million for Myanmar Earthquake Relief

The European Union announced on 7 April that it would provide an additional ten million euros for earthquake relief in Myanmar. The European Union announced €2.5 million in aid on 29 March, a day after the earthquake in Myanmar, and on 2 April, it provided €500,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Therefore, the European Union announced in a statement on 7 April that it has provided 13 million euros in aid for the Myanmar earthquake relief effort. It will be used for emergency shelter, medical treatment, and clean water and sanitation services.

The recent funding is part of a €46 million humanitarian aid allocation for 2025, the statement said. The European Union has also called for guarantees of safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid groups to Myanmar's earthquake relief efforts.

UN to Deploy Staff for Myanmar Earthquake Relief with $98 Million in Funding

The UN Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator said on 6 April that UN staff will be deployed to Myanmar to implement relief efforts using $93 million in international donations and $5 million in UN emergency funds for earthquake victims. The UN Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Tom Fletcher, made the remarks during his visit to Myanmar.

On the other hand, the military junta has restricted the freedom of movement of earthquake relief teams. The vice chairman of the military junta said on 5 April that in addition to obtaining permission from relevant local authorities, relief efforts would be allowed only in cooperation with the military junta.

US Medical Team Begins Surgeries for Myanmar Earthquake Victims in Nay Pyi Taw

Samaritan's Purse, a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists from the United States, announced on 7 April that it has begun performing surgeries at the current temporary medical center in Nay Pyi Taw. The group said a team of doctors and nurses were providing life-saving care while the disaster response team built an emergency field hospital.

The 60-bed hospital will be equipped with an emergency room, laboratory, pharmacy, intensive care unit and two operating rooms that can perform dozens of surgeries daily. It is said that nearly 100 earthquake victims are waiting for surgery. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, said, "We praise God for being able to perform surgeries while the field hospital was being built. We want every patient to know that God loves them and that they are not alone." The statement said that days after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on 28 March, an international relief team had sent an emergency field hospital to Myanmar.

The earthquake has killed more than 3,500 people and left thousands injured and missing, with emergency medical care urgently needed. A 747 cargo plane carrying more than 104 tons of emergency supplies, including six water purification systems, has left the US state of North Carolina, the US Department of Health said. Samaritan's Purse currently has over 80 members in Myanmar and expects to add more in the coming days.

IIMM Reports Intensified Military Junta Airstrikes, Targeting Civilians Across Myanmar

The Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) reported on 11 April that the Myanmar military junta has intensified airstrikes this year, resulting in widespread deaths, destruction, and displacement. IIMM head Nicholas Khunjan said efforts are underway to bring to justice those who ordered and carried out these attacks. The military junta has reportedly increased its airstrikes since the Pazigyi incident in Sagaing Region two years ago, when at least 155 people were killed in an airstrike by the military junta. The statement said civilians were killed as the military continued airstrikes in Mandalay, Sagaing and other areas, even as rescue workers searched for survivors after last month's earthquake.

The civilian population is not only indirectly affected by these attacks but is often directly targeted. Schools, hospitals, clinics and refugee camps, churches and monasteries, as well as public gatherings such as music concerts, have been bombed, he said. He said that targeting civilians constitutes war crimes or crimes against humanity, and that investigations are being stepped up to identify those responsible. "IIMM is collecting and analyzing evidence about these brutal attacks so that those who ordered them and those who carried them out know that we are working to ensure that they one day face justice for the crimes they committed," said Nicholas Kunjan.

The statement also states that IIMM has contacted the military junta several times regarding the information but has not received a response.

UN: Military Junta Continues Attacks Despite Ceasefire Declaration After Earthquake

UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said that despite the military junta's declaration of a ceasefire following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March, civilians are still suffering as military operations continue. She said the military is carrying out attacks at a time when the focus should be solely on getting humanitarian aid to the affected areas.

The military junta has reportedly carried out more than 120 attacks since the earthquake, with more than half of them occurring after the ceasefire was declared on 2 April. Most of these include airstrikes and artillery strikes in earthquake-affected areas. There have also been reports of airstrikes on densely populated areas, many of which have been indiscriminate and in violation of international humanitarian law.

The UN has called for the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid and a halt to all military operations. As the Thingyan festival and New Year period begin on 13 April, the UN called for efforts to help all those in need, and for full amnesty for political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained since February 2021, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also called on the military junta to remove all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid and to halt military operations. The UN High Commissioner also reminded that under international law, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Urges Security Council Action as Military Junta Continues Attacks Despite Earthquake

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Tom Andrews has urged the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution to intervene in Myanmar's earthquake-hit areas, calling for the military junta to cease its attacks. The military junta announced a ceasefire to allow relief efforts to reach those in need of assistance after the earthquake, but dozens of attacks continued, he said, adding that these attacks have prevented aid from reaching many people in urgent need and have made the situation worse.

The Myanmar people need the Security Council to take action against the military junta. Tom Andrews warned that the situation has become increasingly dire as the military junta has doubled down on its operations after the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire between the military and opposition groups and expressed its sympathy for those affected by the earthquake.

He said the Security Council should take urgent action to demand that all parties involved in the conflict in Myanmar cease hostilities and immediately end the military junta's human rights abuses and obstruction of humanitarian aid.

Tom Andrews also called on the Security Council to urge UN agencies, member states, and other humanitarian organizations to work closely with the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic armed groups, and Myanmar civil society organizations.

UN Secretary-General Condemns 400% Increase in Child Rights Violations in Myanmar Since Coup

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement on 11 April condemning the significant increase in child rights violations in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, particularly through forced recruitment by the military junta. Between July 2020 and the end of 2023, there were more than 5,140 serious violations against more than 4,000 children, some of whom were as young as three months old.

This number is a 400 percent increase from the period between September 2018 and June 2020 and has increased significantly since the military junta illegally made coup attempt in February 2021, when fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups resumed.

The report says most human rights abuses are linked to groups affiliated with the Myanmar military. "I am deeply concerned by the increasing number of armed groups and the serious violations against children," Secretary-General Guterres said in the report. Guterres is deeply shocked by the use of child soldiers and the increasing number of deaths and injuries during attacks and calls for the release of all child soldiers.

The report says the number of abducted children has increased significantly by almost 3,000 percent, with many being forced to undergo military training. The report also states that these minors are being used to recruit other children for the army, to gather information or extort money, and as human shields for the military.

US Pledges Continued Support for Myanmar's Democracy and Earthquake Relief Efforts

The United States government said it will continue to support Myanmar's efforts to restore democracy and will continue to work with the international community to provide relief and reconstruction assistance following the earthquake. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement on 13 April, on the eve of Thingyan and New Year.

"On behalf of the United States, I send my heartfelt prayers and love for the New Year. Thingyan is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to a better future. This year, it coincides with a time of great loss and tragedy for the people of Myanmar, which began on 28 March. The United States stands with the people of Myanmar in these challenging times," said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"In these difficult times, the courage and generosity of the Myanmar people have become even more evident. The spirit of Thingyan calls for a brighter future and renewed hope. The United States wishes the Myanmar people hope and strength in the new year," the statement said.

APHR Condemns BIMSTEC's Invitation to Myanmar Military Junta for Bangkok Summit

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) issued a statement today, 2 April 2025, strongly condemning BIMSTEC's decision to invite the Military Junta to the summit to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 3 and 4 April.

Thailand, which will host the 6th meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Technological and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), must take a firm stance and reject the involvement of the military junta, the statement said. Giving the military junta a seat at the table not only legitimizes its brutal rule but also undermines confidence in BIMSTEC's commitment to peace, stability, and development.

Since the illegal coup in 2021, the military junta has committed serious human rights violations, including the killing of thousands of civilians, the arbitrary arrest of opposition leaders and activists, and the dismantling of democratic institutions. The military junta's bombing of earthquake-prone areas, including Sagaing, which was recently hit by a severe earthquake, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

"The military junta is demonstrating a complete disregard for human rights, humanitarian principles, and the rule of law. By engaging with the military junta, BIMSTEC is not promoting diplomacy but supporting oppression," said Mercy Chriesty Barends, president of APHR and member of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"The Myanmar people are still resisting the oppression of the military dictatorship with great sacrifice. Instead of supporting these people, BIMSTEC is creating a platform for the military junta," said Thai MP Rangsiman Rome, a member of APHR.

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Date: 15 April 2025

Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York