Myanmar government forces regain control of important town in northern Shan State

Myanmar government forces have claimed control of Mongkoe, an important town in the northern Shan state, after two weeks' fighting with local ethnic military groups, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services said Monday.

The government forces regained control of the town on Sunday after reinforcement of troops in the fighting at the Mongkoe military outpost.

The combined forces of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) withdrew from the area after the government troops fought back and conducted area clearance operation, the office said.

The armed groups also attacked Kutkai again with heavy weapons Sunday, injuring two civilians.

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

A total of 14 people have been killed, including three policemen and one militia, and 50 injured in the conflicts, according to updated figures from the government. Among the dead were also 10 civilians. Endit