Fighting between resistance fighters and regime forces in Karenni and Shan states has escalated and many houses have been burnt down by the regime, a resistance fighter told NMG.

Three clashes occurred between the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) and the Burma Army (BA) in Demawso Township in Karenni State on 23 November, the KNDF officer said.

''The first clash took place around 7am near Daw Poesi. Our troops killed at least two BA soldiers and wounded five others, while no one was injured on our side.'' In the second clash at 2pm near the Pan Kan Buddhist monastery, not far from the village, one BA soldier was killed. A resistance fighter suffered a minor leg injury in the third skirmish at around 5pm near Ngar Maing (5 miles).

The army set fire to two houses in Daw Poesi, close to another monastery they'd occupied during attacks against the KNDF. "They are deployed in churches and Buddhist monasteries and launching offensive against resistance groups,'' the officer said.

''I suppose the Burma Army wants the fighting to increase at a time when farmers are harvesting their crops," he said, explaining that the violence is also taking place in Pekon and Mobye in southern Shan State and Loikaw Township in Karenni State.

On 22 November, soldiers stormed Christ the King Church in Nawng Yar ward, Loikaw Township, and arrested 18 people, including doctors, nurses and volunteers. All were released at 6 pm the next day.

According to Karenni civil society organizations, the BA continues to commit human rights violations against the civilian population: destruction of private property, shelling of villages with artillery, torture, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests.