Officials from Myanmar's military regime, left, pose with Indian government personnel delivering aid for earthquake victims at Yangon airport on March 29.
DOMINIC FAULDER
BANGKOK -- Within hours of a massive earthquake near Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay, the military State Administration Council that seized power in 2021 stepped out of character by appealing for international assistance -- and declaring a state of emergency in the midst of one of the world's most brutal civil wars.
"We issue an open invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country," said Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the SAC's chief, in a televised address.