Several civilians have been killed and more than 10,000 forced to flee their homes in heavy clashes between Burma's military and resistance fighters of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) for control of Loikaw, capital of Kayah state. "Members of humanitarian organizations for IDPs [internally displaced persons] and civil society groups are carrying out rescue operations to save the trapped civilians," said a KNDF officer. "KNDF soldiers are also helping them." Speaking of the military's new offensive to retake the city, he added: "We can see they are preparing to annihilate us in every possible way."

Evidence is mounting of army atrocities against the state's civil population. Families of the victims of a massacre in Kayah state's Hpruso township and a doctor who carried out post-mortem examinations of their remains have disclosed new details concerning the dozens of people slain and burned by the military on Dec. 24. at least 35 charred bodies and multiple burned vehicles were found by KNDF fighters at the roadside site early on Christmas morning. Survivors accuse army troops of committing the massacre. (Myanmar Now, Myanmar Now, Burma News International) (See map)