By Hlaing / MPA
The Myanmar military has ramped up ground assaults and airstrikes in Waingmaw, Taungtha, and Yinmarbin townships, despite its recent announcement of a temporary ceasefire, according to local sources.
The military junta declared on Wednesday a suspension of hostilities lasting until April 22. On the same day, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) also announced a ceasefire, pledging to halt all offensive operations—while reserving the right to defend its territory.
Despite these declarations, military forces launched airstrikes and a ground offensive on La Myan Village in Kachin State’s Waingmaw Township on Wednesday, with artillery support from Infantry Battalion 58, a local resident told MPA.
“The military said they would stop fighting for 20 days, but they haven’t stopped at all,” a woman from Waingmaw said. “They launched drone strikes on Wednesday night, and by Thursday morning, artillery fire was still ongoing, destroying homes.”
In Sagaing Region, junta forces also launched fresh offensives between Wednesday night and Thursday noon near the Wan Paung copper mine, located between Salingyi and Yinmarbin townships. The operations were reportedly aimed at securing copper transport routes.
These assaults forced residents to flee several villages across Yinmarbin Township, including Kan Kone, Don Taw, Gon Taw, Ywar Thar, Kye Sar Kya, and Bein Nwe Chaung.
“People from those villages have now been displaced,” a local resistance fighter said. “On Wednesday night, an armored vehicle from the Northwestern Regional Military Command arrived at Aung Zeya Hill and began securing the area.”
Meanwhile, in Mandalay Region, three military paramotors deployed from Meiktila Airbase carried out nine bombing raids over Taungtha Township around 3 a.m. Thursday, according to the Wai Hin Telegram channel, which monitors airstrikes.
“Our area wasn’t hit by the earthquake, but we’re facing power and water shortages—and now we’re terrified of airstrikes,” a 30-year-old Taungtha resident said. “With phone lines down, we don’t even know exactly where they bombed.”
The junta cited humanitarian concerns and post-earthquake recovery efforts as justification for the ceasefire following the March 28 quake. However, military actions—including ground offensives, arson attacks, and airstrikes—have continued unabated.
In contrast, revolutionary groups appear to be upholding their own ceasefire pledges. The National Unity Government (NUG) suspended operations from March 30 for two weeks. The Northern Brotherhood Alliance—including the MNDAA, TNLA, and Arakan Army—announced a one-month pause in April. The KIO also halted all offensive operations from April 2 to 22, except in self-defense.
