A camp of the Karen National Union near the Thai-Burma border was attacked by troops of the Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army early today morning.

The combined force of the military junta and the cease-fire pro-junta DKBA launched its offensive on the Maekalawkhi camp, 30 kilometres from Myawaddy close to the border.

‘’The fighting broke out around 5:30 a.m. and continued for about an hour,'’ said Pado Man Shar, spokesperson of KNU, the ethnic rebel group fighting the military junta for self-determination.

‘’There were about 50 or 60 soldiers from their side. But I don’t have details,'’ he said.

Man Shar was hesitant about ruling out further attacks. Causalities and injuries have not been determined yet.

The KNU has been fighting against the Central government for more than five decades and has failed to reach a cease-fire agreement although both sides have tried repeatedly.

Thu 8 Mar 2007