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Myanmar’s military engaged in gunfire towards a convoy associated with the Chinese Red Cross, transporting vital earthquake relief supplies on Tuesday night.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a rebel faction, reported that military forces opened fire on the convoy of nine vehicles utilizing machine guns in eastern Shan State.
The convoy was headed to Mandalay, an area severely impacted by a magnitude-7.7 earthquake that occurred the previous Friday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the incident.
The ruling junta of Myanmar acknowledged the event and stated that it was conducting an investigation. Officials refuted claims of intentionally targeting the convoy, asserting that troops fired shots into the air when the convoy failed to halt after being signaled.
In a response on Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry confirmed that its rescue team’s personnel and supplies remained secure, expressing a desire for all involved parties in Myanmar to prioritize relief efforts following the disaster.
Myanmar is currently experiencing escalating violence due to an ongoing civil war, which pits the military junta—having taken control through a coup in 2021—against various ethnic militias and resistance groups.
The country’s humanitarian situation has deteriorated significantly since the recent earthquake, which official estimates suggest has caused over 2,700 fatalities, with many believing that the actual number is considerably higher.
Numerous international aid organizations and foreign governments have mobilized to provide assistance to the regions affected by the earthquake.
A spokesperson for the military reported that troops observed the aid convoy originating from Naungcho township on Tuesday night, noting its vehicles were marked with Chinese insignia and bore Myanmar license plates. However, the military claimed not to have received prior notification regarding the convoy’s movement.
“Upon seeing the convoy, we attempted to stop it, but they did not comply. Hence, we discharged our weapons from approximately 200 meters away,” the spokesperson detailed. “At around 100 meters, we fired three shots into the air, after which the vehicles retreated back toward Naungcho.”
According to the spokesperson, China’s Blue Sky Rescue Team, actively engaging in search and rescue operations in Mandalay, had received security assurances when taking this route.
He further emphasized that international agencies intending to provide aid to Myanmar must inform the government beforehand.
The TNLA, which was providing security for the Red Cross convoy, asserted that they had duly informed the military council about their plans to go to Mandalay.
In their statement, they indicated that after returning to Naungcho, they would continue their journey.
In a show of solidarity for earthquake aid, various rebel groups have declared a temporary ceasefire. Nonetheless, the military has declined to reciprocate.
Just hours following the earthquake, the junta executed an airstrike in Naungcho township, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has declared that as long as ethnic armed groups persist with military preparations, the military will continue its necessary defense operations.
The UN has condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as “completely outrageous and unacceptable.”
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www.bbc.com