Myanmar: Nearly 50 troops killed fighting rebels in northern border near China

The government and ethnic groups penned a commitment to continue talks and referenced the concept of federalism.

In this Jan. 12, 2015 photo, officers with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army gather in the steep hillside jungles in Mar Wong, a village in northern Shan state, Myanmar. The tiny ethnic armed group, fighting for the rights of a half-million Buddhist minority Ta’ang, was marking the anniversary of it’s insurrection 52 years ago against the rule of then-dictator Gen. Ne Win. As President Thein Sein struggles to reach a nationwide peace agreement before his term ends later this year, the TNLA has turned out to be one of his most intractable thorns, refusing to sign a ceasefire agreement. (Source: AP)

Nearly 50 soldiers have been killed in recent fighting with rebels in a northern border area near China, Myanmar’s state media said on Friday, the latest blow to government hopes for a countrywide ceasefire.

The troops were killed in four days of clashes in Shan state with largely ethnic Chinese rebels from the Kokang region which broke out on February 9, the Global New Light of Myanmar said.

“So far, the fighting has left government forces with 47 dead, 73 wounded and five vehicles destroyed,” said the report in its English language edition.

Story continues below this ad

A 200-strong force of Kokang rebels attacked a military base in the Kongyan area yesterday, shelling the headquarters, the report said. The army has carried out five airstrikes in retaliation.

The resurgence of conflict in the Kokang area of Shan state, which had been largely dormant for nearly six years, is an ominous sign for the government as it attempts to forge a comprehensive peace deal.

The state borders China’s Yunnan province. Fighting there several years ago saw thousands flee over the border, sparking concern in Beijing – a long-time ally of Myanmar’s then military rulers.

Conflict between the military and armed ethnic minority groups is also raging in other parts of Shan and northern Kachin states, casting doubts over government efforts to ink a nationwide ceasefire deal.

Story continues below this ad

Myanmar had hoped to sign the long-delayed agreement on Thursday, as the country celebrates its annual Union Day celebrations in Naypyidaw.

Instead, the government and ethnic groups penned a commitment to continue talks and referenced the concept of federalism.

Observers say the inclusion of the federal concept by the government marks a watershed in the tortuous negotiations, as it has resisted any deal on federalism until now.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram