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A new bout of fighting erupted on Monday in a border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the latest indication of a sharp deterioration in relations between the important US allies.
Pakistan is seen as vital in bringing stability to Afghanistan as most Western forces prepare to withdraw by the end of next year.
The United States and other powers involved in Afghanistan have been trying to promote cooperation between the Asian neighbours, who have a history of mistrust.
Snipers from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) practice together on the firing range
In east Burma’s Karen State, hundreds of civilians have fled from their homes as fighting continues between the rebel Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and a government-backed militia, the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
The displaced families have left villages near the town of Myaing Gyi Ngu, a former stronghold base of the DKBA where government troops have reportedly been dispatched to curb tensions between the two rival militias.
As Shan State Army and Burma army are head to head reinforcing their troops along the west Salween between Tangyan and Kehsi townships and as the war is imminent, fearing that the fight would cross and spread to east Salween, United Wa State Army (UWSA) has alerted its troops to be ready, according to the local news sources.
“The units of government army is increasingly reinforcing its troops into the Shan State Army controlled areas such as Loi Khok, Loi Zay, Loi Khio and Loi Lan, the areas where the latter bases are located. At the same time, SSA has also deployed their troops to defend its positions. On the other hand, as the tension between the two rivals—SSA and the Burma Army is growing, it has worried USWA that the fight would spread cross over to east of the Salween and its troops have been alert to be prepared and ready,” an officer from SSA said.
An Afghan border policeman was killed and two Pakistani soldiers were wounded in an exchange of fire along the border late on Wednesday, officials from both countries said, a clash likely to unsettle already strained ties between the neighbours.
A senior Afghan official said hundreds of additional Afghan troops were sent to a disputed border gate after the exchange of fire, which last for more than two hours.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) based at a monastery in Myaing Gyi Ngu village, Hlaing Bwe Township, Karen State, was twice attacked by a the Border Guard Force (BGF) on April 28.
A source close to the DKBA, who asked not to be named, told Karen News that fighting was between BGF Battalion 1011 under the command of Major Saw Soe Naing and the DKBA, Kalo Htoo Lar Operation Command, led by Colonel Saw Bi. As a result of the fighting a BGF solider was killed and one wounded.