1:53 AM
Myanmar insurgents warn of growing conflict as neighbours press junta
One of Myanmar's main ethnic minority rebel groups warned of a growing threat of major conflict on Tuesday and called for international intervention against a military crackdown on opponents of last month's coup.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army ousted an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, detaining her and reimposing military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy.
While cities and towns across the country have been consumed by protests against the military, fighting has also flared between the army and insurgents in frontier regions and refugees are spilling over borders.
The Karen National Union rebel group, which operates in the east along the border with Thailand, said it was bracing for a major government offensive.
"Now, thousands of Burma military ground troops are advancing into our territories from all fronts," the group said in a statement.
"We have no other options left but to confront these serious threats posed by the illegitimate military junta's army in order to defend our territory."
The group urged the international community, neighbouring Thailand in particular, to help Karen people fleeing the "onslaught" and called for countries to cut ties with the junta to stop the violence against civilians.
A spokesman for the Myanmar junta did not answer calls seeking comment.
Opponents of the coup have called for a united front with insurgent groups to help those standing up to the military.
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