Myanmar government forces clash with ethnic armed group

Myanmar's government forces continued clashes with armed group Klohtoobaw Karen Organization ( KKO), during a search operation in Kawkareik, Kayin state over weekend, an official report said Monday.

The armed forces, along with its border guard force, seized some assorted weapons, bombs, bullets, land mines and ammunition during the fight on the east and west of Kaungmu village of Kawkareik.

Last week, there were clashes between the two sides when the government forces came under attack by heavy weapon fired from the KKO in the urban ward of Kawkareik when they were patrolling after reopening two roads occupied by the ethnic group.

During the fighting, the government forces seized some arms and ammunition from the KKO and arrested two of its members.

The KKO, led by Kyaw Thet and Saw Hsan Aung, placed toll gates on the Kawkareik-Myawaddy New Asian Highway, restricting access in defiance of local government instruction to desist.

Since fighting erupted between the government forces and the small armed group earlier this month, the government forces have been able to clear the Myawaddy-Kawkareik road section.

The Myawaddy-Kawkareik New Asian Highway was built with the aim of facilitating the flow of commodity in border areas, promotion of links between regional countries and boosting tourism.