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The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, linking Burma and Thailand border town was reopened early today after been closed since July 2010. Border authorities from both countries attended the bridge reopening ceremony with as many as 200 locals. In a symbolic gesture balloons were released from the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge near Rim Moei, Mae Sot district. In Myawaddy Town, on the the…

The Kachin Independence Army denied accusations made in Burma’s state run media that they had been involved in killing civilians. Lan Nan, a senior spokesperson for the KIA spoke to Karen News. “All statements made by the [Burma] government are totally false. The real culprit is the Burma Army who shelled from Khaung Phu village on the Irrawaddy River to…

The Karen people from Tenasserim Division in southern Burma are challenging new government restrictions on celebrating Karen New Year in the Division capital, Tavoy. A Karen elder in Tavoy, who does not want to be named, told Karen News that Tenasserim’s Government Chief Minister, former Lt. Gen. Khin Zaw, has forbidden large celebrations of Karen New Year. The Karen elders…

Three Burma Army soldiers were killed and six soldiers wounded by Karen soldiers last week during an ambush on the Tavoy-Kanchanaburi road in southern Burma. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a KNU military Brigade 4 source said the Karen soldiers ambushed a Burma Army column from Light Infantry Battalion 407 on November 26 near the Law Aw deserted village. Two…

Late last month the Karen National Liberation Army launched an attack on a Burma Army column in the Myit Tan area, Tanintharyi Division and killed three soldiers and wounded six soldiers. An unnamed source close to the Burma Army told Karen News that the KNLA, Brigade 4 launched a morning attack on a 120 soldier column led by Major Min…

Fighting between the Kachin Independent Army and The Burma Army has forced the closure of 10 schools in the Mai Jar Yan area of Mong Mao Township in Kachin State. Residents say they fear there will be intense fighting in the area and they worry for the safety of their children. A woman villager from Mai Jar Yan area spoke…

Saw Than Kyaw Oo, the former chairman of the Pa-an based Plone-Swor Democratic Party has applied to form a new political party named the Kayin Democratic Party, according to a Burma government run newspaper, the new party will start with 16 members. Saw Than Kyaw Oo recently resigned from the PSDP after an emergency meeting decision taken on October 30.…

Health workers in the Maija Yang region of Kachin State are worried that the winter cold will be dangerous to young and old people in the makeshift camps built to shelter villagers displaced by fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independent Army. Medics at the camps say they are now seeing many more patients with influenza, diarrhea and…

Over a hundred attendants participated at the debate and quiz program held at the Children Development Center (CDC) school in the Thai border town of Mae Sot. The event was organized by the Women League of Burma to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Among those attending, were high school students, migrant workers and members…

Mortar shells launched by local the Burma Army terrifies local villagers living in the area along the route the Burma Army uses to transport food rations to its soldiers in Papun Township. Villagers said that in Papun areas, it is common, the Burma Army fires mortar rounds into areas they are suspicious of whenever they send their rations to frontline…