Daily Times

YANGON: At least 11 people have died this month in northern Myanmar in escalating clashes between security forces and armed insurgents that have undercut Aung San Suu Kyi’s bid for peace.

Thousands have fled their homes in northern Shan state since the fighting erupted in late November, with many crossing the border into China.

In response, Beijing has placed its military on high alert, fearing the violence could once again spill into its territory after several of its nationals were killed last year. The bodies of nine policemen killed by rebels on December 2 have been recovered, state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said. Two civilians were also reportedly killed in that incident. In total at least 30 soldiers, police, pro-government militia and civilians have died since the fighting began, according to a tally of state media figures.

The clashes have delivered a fresh blow to de facto leader Suu Kyi’s hopes of forging a nationwide peace agreement to end decades of bloody insurgencies rumbling along Myanmar’s borderlands.