Myanmar’s Civilian NUG Announces Military Pause for Quake Response

Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has announced a temporary halt to offensive military operations in areas affected by the devastating 7.7-magnitude quake that struck northwest of Sagaing on Friday, in order to allow for humanitarian relief and rescue efforts.

The disaster caused widespread destruction and has officially claimed at least 1,644 lives across multiple regions and states including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, Naypyitaw, Magwe and southern Shan, with the death toll expected to climb dramatically and tens of thousands reported injured.

In response, to allow for rescue efforts in quake-hit areas, the NUG’s Ministry of Defense declared a two-week pause in offensive operations in those areas “and related districts” by its armed wing the People’s Defense Force (PDF) starting Sunday, except for defensive actions.