‘Cosmic verdict’ fears grip Myanmar junta in earthquake’s aftermath

Myanmar’s military leader is expected to attend a regional meeting this week, despite the country still reeling from a devastating earthquake, while concerns mount that the junta may “weaponise aid” for its own political gain.

The death toll from Friday’s earthquake – the country’s largest in more than a century – has crossed 2,000, with nearly 4,000 injured and close to 300 people missing.

Efforts by over a dozen foreign rescue teams to deliver aid have been hampered by the ongoing civil war – as the junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, continues to bomb the Sagaing, a resistance stronghold 20km (12 miles) southwest of Mandalay and near the quake’s epicentre.

Thailand has invited junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to the regional meeting of BIMSTEC – a grouping of South and Southeast Asian nations – scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Bangkok.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives at a hospital compound in Naypyidaw on Friday to meet earthquake survivors. Photo: AFP

Hunter Marston, a Southeast Asia researcher at the Australian National University, said Min Aung Hlaing was likely to attend because staving off regional diplomatic pressure and maintaining goodwill in Bangkok “matter more for his regime’s security”.

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Происшествия и Катастрофы

землетрясение Мьянма космический приговор мианмарский партия юнт разрушительный лидер военный