Burma has reported a series of clashes between government forces and rebels in eastern Shan state.
State-run media reported today that 17 villagers were killed and 73 homes burnt to the ground when rebels attacked several villages last month. There was no independent confirmation of the report.
The Burmese military government said the Shan State Army-South was behind attacks last month.
Burma has declared the group of ethnic Shan rebels to be a terrorist group. The Shan State Army is the largest of at least three rebel factions in eastern Burma that have been fighting the government for autonomy.