Military fires on Chinese aid convoy in Myanmar, rebels say
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Myanmar soldiers shot at aid convoys, while military leader Min Aung Hlaing reportedly rejected ceasefire calls from armed rebel groups to allow aid into earthquake-hit areas.
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Rescue members stand as they gather for a minute of silence, marking a week of national mourning in Mandalay, Myanmar, on April 1, 2025. (AP)
Reports on Wednesday revealed that soldiers opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying relief supplies from the Chinese Red Cross intended for earthquake victims in the severely affected city of Mandalay, according to a rebel armed group in Myanmar.
This attack shows that the military has no intention of halting hostilities despite last Friday's devastating earthquake that claimed at least 2,800 lives.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Myanmar's junta chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed that military operations would continue as "necessary protective measures" despite the recent earthquake.
The convoy came under attack by military forces using machine guns at 9:21 pm on Tuesday near Ummati village in Naung Cho township, as it was en route to the central city of Mandalay, according to the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in a post on its Telegram channel.
A Chinese earthquake rescue team deploying drones to light up the night and aid search and rescue operations after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.pic.twitter.com/pmpIdE2XK0
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) April 2, 2025
The TNLA did not provide details on the number of people in the convoy or whether there were any casualties.
According to the TNLA, the attack forced the convoy to retreat to Naung Cho. The group mentioned that it intervened to safeguard the convoy, enabling it to continue its journey and deliver aid to those in need.
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China, which maintains strong ties with Myanmar, was among the first nations to respond to the earthquake, sending search-and-rescue teams and approximately $14 million in emergency aid.
Chinese rescue team on the streets of Mandalay, Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/NZPklDmTme
— Sharing Travel (@TripInChina) April 1, 2025
Following the disaster, the National Unity Government, a shadow government in exile, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, composed of three rebel groups including the TNLA, declared ceasefires. Despite the ceasefire announcements, the military has continued conducting airstrikes in various parts of the country since the disaster.
On Tuesday, around 5:30 pm, an airstrike targeted and killed 38 young trainees from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), an armed group engaged in combat with the military in northern Myanmar, as reported by Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson.
According to the report, the reason for targeting the Chinese Red Cross vehicles is unclear, but the attack underscores the challenges of delivering aid in a war zone. Since the coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that 6,476 people, including activists and civilians, have been killed by the junta and pro-military groups.
Recently, international aid groups like the World Food Program and UNICEF have reached Mandalay and the neighboring war-torn Sagaing region, a resistance stronghold where people are facing severe shortages of food and water.
However, locals in both regions have stated that the military has hindered their search and rescue efforts by blocking access to collapsed buildings and enforcing curfews.
