Myanmar ethnic rebels attacked a key town near the Thai border yesterday, residents and local media said, with the military junta calling in air strikes.
The Karen National Union (KNU) has been a vocal opponent of the coup which brought the generals to power last year, and has provided shelter to dissidents working to oust the junta.
Its fighters have clashed sporadically with the military along the Thai border, sending thousands fleeing across the frontier for safety.
Yesterday’s fighting began at 7am in Kawkareik, which sits on the road to a major border crossing with Thailand, a resident who requested anonymity told AFP.