The violence in Myanmar

The resident on the violence: "A poor, miserable life"

Residents of Kyaukme in northern Myanmar count the dead and search for belongings amid the rubble after fresh fighting between the ruling military junta and an alliance of armed ethnic groups, AFP reports.

Airstrikes and artillery fire have destroyed buildings and cars, forcing many people to flee. Resident Kyaw Paing told the news agency that seven people were killed on his street alone.

- I don't want to live this poor, miserable life in the war. I am devastated, he says.

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Rebels have captured the airport - setback for the junta

The Buddhist separatist movement Arakanese Army on Monday seized an airport in the western Rakhine region of Myanmar, AP reports.

The incident represents a major defeat for the ruling military junta, which took power in the country three years ago. The seizure of the airport could open the way for the rebels to seize the Rakhine coastal region.

Since November, the Arakanese army has been attacking security forces in the region and taking control of large areas. The increasingly weakened junta has recruited thousands of young Rohingya to the fighting, which has led to increased tensions between the ethnic groups, TT writes.