KABUL: (Middle East Press) Clashes between Myanmar’s army and rebels near the Chinese border killed at least 130 people, casting further doubt on the prospects of a nationwide ceasefire ahead of the next general elections.
Myanmar’s chief of military affairs security, Lieutenant General Mya Htun Oo, said Saturday that 61 military and police officers and around 72 rebels have been killed since the recent spate of fighting erupted on February 9.
The insurgents attacked the army forces in the northeastern Shan State.
Over 30,000 people escaped the restive area into the neighboring China after the army carried out a heavy attack on the rebels.
The ethnic Chinese rebels of the National Democratic Alliance Army, known as the Kokang rebels, have declared their will to continue fighting until achieving autonomy.
The insurgency has seriously undermined government’s efforts for reaching a nationwide ceasefire ahead of the general election which is slated for later this year.
