Burma Military Attacks Civilians Despite the Earthquake and Ceasefires

On Friday, March 28, 2025, at approximately 1250 hours, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma, centered near Burma's second-largest city, Mandalay. The total death toll is still climbing as recovery efforts are only beginning, but current numbers are over 3000 killed. The hardest hit areas are Burma Army-controlled, but effects are widespread. Many of the ethnic resistance forces fighting the Burma Army in the wake of the 2021 coup have instituted temporary ceasefires to allow relief to proceed without the threat of combat. Yet, our Rangers have reported that instead of government aid coming to their areas, the Burma Army is sending bombs, artillery strikes, and suicide drones. Even as it asks the international community to send help, the military dictatorship is attacking its own people, even sometimes in zones affected by the earthquake. Below is a catalog of attacks since the quake.

On March 28, in Shan State, the same day as the earthquake, the Burma military conducted two airstrikes followed by another the next day.

On March 29, in Doo Tha Htoo District, Karen State, the Burma military launched a suicide drone attack with limited damege and an 81mm mortar attack, injuring a villager.

Fragments from the 81mm mortar round that wounded a villager in Kha Yawe Village.

On March 29, in Karenni State, the Burma military conducted an airstrike with unconfirmed damage, followed by an airstrike the next day near Pruso, leaving one person wounded.

In Taw Oo District, Karen State, almost 100 homes were destroyed by the earthquake. The Burma military responded with airstrikes and artillery strikes on the destroyed communities, followed by soldiers from the Burma Army 48th Battalion burning down an additional three houses in Myo Soe Village, Htaw Ta Htoo Township on March 31.

House in Taw Oo destroyed by the earthquake.

On April 1, in Dooplaya District, Karen State, the Burma Army Military Operations Command 12 attacked Wizarkone Village with five 120mm mortar rounds, killing a villager.

Woman killed by Burma Army mortar rounds.

On April 2, a Burma military jet bombed Nay Ka Village, Mu Traw District, Karen State, killing two people and wounding three.

Baby wounded by Burma Army attack, receiving treatment.

On April 3, a Burma military jet dropped two 500-pound bombs on a Karenni checkpoint, killing one and wounding four.

A Karenni man wounded at the checkpoint

As we write this, more reports are coming in from our Rangers, including one from Shan State stating that the Burma Army 422nd Light Infantry Battalion attacked Pi King Kaw Khu village, MoeBye Township, with 120mm mortars killing 35 year old U Kue Lay.

The Body of U Kue Lay

Clearly, the Burma Army has no intention to halt its aggression in the midst of this natural disaster. Please pray for the people of Burma as they work to recover from a natural disaster with a government that, at best, does nothing to help and, at worst, continues its attacks by air and by land.

Thank you for being in this with us.

God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers