Myanmarese forces seize four Kokang strategic hilltops

Yangon, April 17: Myanmarese forces have seized four more strategic hilltops from the Kokang ethnic army during combing operations, media reported on Friday. With the seizure of these hilltops, the government forces claimed total control of key locations of Laukkai, the capital of Kokang region, Xinhua reported. The clashes between the government forces and Kokang’s Myanmar tiol Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) started on February 9. During the period, at least 74 MNDAA members were killed and 22 arrested.
The report, however, did not mention the casualties on the side of government forces. According to an earlier report, 16 government soldiers were killed and 110 wounded. Peace negotiators of the government and ethnic armed groups concluded talks over a draft tionwide ceasefire agreement on March 30 and the draft accord was prelimirily signed in Yangon on March 31. The document will be signed formally after the approval of the top leadership of all sides concerned. The United tiolities Federal Council, established by the ethnic groups, demanded that Myanmar President U Thein Sein stops military offensive against the Kokang ethnic army.  (IANS)