10 killed, 33 injured in N.Myanmar clashes

A total of 10 persons have been killed and 33 others injured in armed clashes which broke out between the government forces and a combined forces of three ethnic armed groups in Myanmar's northern Shan state in the weekend, according to an updated casualties figures of the Information Committee of the State Counselor's Office Wednesday.

The 10 dead include two soldiers, three policemen and four civilians, while the 33 injured include nine policemen, two service personnel and 22 civilians.

There have been four temporary relief camps opened in Muse, where 3,000 refugees are being accommodated, the committee said.

Military conflicts broke out in border area of northern Myanmar's Shan state early Sunday morning with an alliance of three non-ceasefire signatory ethnic armed groups launching simultaneous and surprising attacks on government's military outposts and police stations in Muse and Kutkai townships as well as a border trade zone in Muse.

The three armed groups are Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

Their attacks targeted government military outposts and police stations in areas of Muse, Kutkai, Monekoe, Kyukoke, Phangsai, Pangsang, Manken and Kyinsankyawk (Honang)

Due to the continued clashes and widespread explosions over the last three days, border gates, banks, shops, clinics, company offices, trading centers, warehouse and residential houses in Muse have been all closed. Endit