Myanmar military claims total control of Kokang region

 Yangon, March 26: The Myanmar military has claimed total control of the Kokang region in Shan state, a media report said on Thursday. Heavy fighting broke out on February 9 between the government forces and the Myanmar tiol Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang region involving an air strike by the government forces, Xinhua news agency reported. The Myanmar military has called the MNDAA to lay down their arms, the report added. According to military sources, the government forces have occupied all key strategic hilltops in the region in military offensives, forcing the MNDAA to retreat. Kokang region’s capital of Laukkai has regained stability, the sources added.

Unconfirmed statistics show that, as of now, the government side has suffered 112 deaths with 287 wounded, while 104 MNDAA militants were killed with 30 being arrested. (IANS)