Armed groups renew attacks on military post in N. Myanmar: authorities

A combined forces of three non-ceasefire signatory ethnic groups have renewed attacks on Mongkoe military post in northern Myanmar's Shan state, forcing the government troops to fight back, according to the Defense Services Office Sunday.

The combined forces of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) tried to approach the post by launching attacks from the east, south and west with the assistance of heavy weapons on Saturday morning, the office said.

But they failed to break the defense of the government troops which used air power and artillery to defend the post, it said, adding that the siege was halted at 10:20 a.m..

A total of eight bodies of the combined forces were recovered until 1:30 p.m. when the combined forces approached the post again.

Military conflicts broke out in border areas of northern Myanmar's Shan state on Nov. 20, with an alliance of the three ethnic armed groups launching simultaneous and surprise attacks on government's military outposts and police stations in Muse and Kutkai townships as well as Muse border trade center.

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

According to updated government data, a total of 14 people were killed and 50 injured in the northern Myanmar conflict since its outbreak. The dead include three policemen, one militiaman and 10 civilians, while the injured comprise 11 policemen, two government staff and 37 civilians. Endit