16 Myanmar soldiers killed in clashes near China border

Myanmar state media said on April 16 that 16 of its soldiers were killed in an attack to push rebels away from a strategic hill in the northeastern region bordering China.

The conflict between government forces and ethnic Kokang rebels in Shan State since February 9 has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes to China.

Myanmar army soldiers (Source: AFP)

According to AFP, during this conflict, the Myanmar government army conducted airstrikes into Chinese territory, killing many civilians.

"Sixteen Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) soldiers and officers died for the country and 110 others were injured," the Myanmar-language Mirror newspaper said.

Government forces are currently conducting a 10-day campaign, which ended on April 15, to retake the strategic hill and destroy more than a dozen rebel bunkers.

The Mirror newspaper reported that government troops discovered two bodies of Kokang rebels along with many large and small weapons./.

According to VNA