WorldRaging battles on Myanmar's border with China have claimed dozens more lives, military and official sources said Wednesday, as the mounting death toll landed a fresh blow to the government's faltering peace process. Thousands of people have since fled to China to escape the ensuing gun battles, artillery strikes and fires, leaving Laukkai deserted. Three more rebels were killed on Wednesday during an army offensive in which “some military officers and other (lower) rank soldiers were killed and injured,” it added. State media reported on Tuesday that “dozens of soldiers” had also been killed in the escalating clashes. Last week China called for an immediate ceasefire and this week officials have reportedly been holding talks with rebel groups in a bid to calm the fighting.

Source: Sunday Times March 15, 2017 14:15 UTC