BANGKOK, Jan. 24 Kyodo Myanmar so...

BANGKOK, Jan. 24 Kyodo

Myanmar soldiers in succession Friday seized two camps of ethnic minority Karen rebels following fighting from Thursday that left at least five rebels and 10 management soldiers dead, a Thai military official said.

The couple camps of the Karen National Union (KNU) are opposite the Thai town of Phop Phra in Tak Province, about 500 kilometers northwest of Bangkok.

Thai official said the KNU could not maintain the couple camps and withdrew its forces to Valley Kee Camp opposite the Valley District in Tak Province.

A large number of casualties were sent to a nearby hospital.

Thai numbers are on alert along the border as seven mortar shells landed forward Thai soil.

a certain number of 700 Karen refugees have already fl across the border to Thailand, the official said.

The KNU seen as the strongest and largest antigovernment force in Myanmar, has been fighting for independence since 1949

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