The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services today announced an extension of the temporary ceasefire period until May 31, aiming to facilitate ongoing rescue and reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by the March 28 Mandalay earthquake.

The military had initially declared a suspension of offensive operations from April 2 to April 30 to accelerate disaster response. However, given the extensive damage to government offices, homes, and infrastructure in quake-hit regions, the ceasefire has now been prolonged.

The statement emphasized that the government is intensifying reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, with international aid also being mobilized. The extension is intended to peed up recovery in affected areas, safeguard national and public interests, and promote lasting peace and stability.

The military warned that ethnic armed groups and other armed factions must refrain from attacking or disrupting public transport and communication routes, endangering civilian lives and property, assaulting security forces’ bases and headquarters, and mobilizing troops or expanding territorial control in ways that threaten peace. Any violations, the statement said, would prompt necessary countermeasures to protect civilians.