Burma: Ethnic rebels clash with troops in eastern border town

A day after the military state held general elections, violent clashes between rebel troops and Burmese government soldiers broke out on Monday in the eastern town of Myawaddy in Karen State. Sources say at least six people have been killed and thirty injured on the Burmese side.

A Thai official told AFP that at least 10,000 Burmese civilians had crossed into Thailand amid heavy firing. A Thai military official on the border, who also asked not to be named, said one rocket propelled grenade landed on the Thai side in Mae Sot, injuring several people.

Zipporah Sein, Thailand-based general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), said skirmishes broke out between up to 300 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers and the government army. She said the fighting was contained in the town but added that if it spilled into surrounding areas, up to 500 DKBA troops and 900 KNU soldiers could join the battle.

The exact circumstances were unclear. Local DKBA commander Na Kham Mwe told the exile news website Irrawaddy that government troops opened fire first. He also said government doesn't want to negotiate and more and more troops are being sent in the area.