BANGKOK — Myanmar’s ruling military regime, the State Administration Council (SAC), requested assistance from anywhere in the world almost immediately after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 near Mandalay, the country’s second largest city. But troops that would be deployed to help with national disasters in most countries have been notably absent from relief operations.
In contrast, there have been widespread reports that the armed forces have continued offensive operations, including in earthquake-affected areas, in the escalating civil war that has erupted since the generals seized power in 2021.
