Is Burma's Reformist Rulers Serious About Reaching A Peace Deal With The Kachin Independence Army?

Analysis: Air Assaults Raise Doubts About Myanmar's Reformist Rulers -- New York Times/Reuters

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Unprecedented aerial attacks on ethnic Kachin rebels by Myanmar's military have raised doubts about whether the retired generals in a government hailed for its reforms have really changed their harsh old ways.

Assurances by the quasi-civilian government that it wants a peace deal with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and that the military is exercising "maximum restraint" are starting to ring hollow as jets and helicopter gunships take to the air.

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More News On Myanmar's War Against Kachin Rebels

Kachin rebels say government air and ground attacks continue in northern Myanmar -- Washington Post/AP
Fighting rages in Myanmar's Kachin State -- Myanmar Times
Myanmar’s Kachin rebels accuse government of artillery attack on headquarter city -- Washington Post/AP
Myanmar Could Sign Ceasefire With Ethnic Insurgent Groups -- NPR
Conflict a blot on Myanmar government -- Gulf News

Burma Launches Air Strikes Against Kachin Rebels

Burma Admits Air Strikes Targeted Kachin Rebels -- Voice of America

The Burmese government has confirmed that it carried out air strikes this week against ethnic rebels in northern Kachin state, raising fresh concerns about the country's reform and fragile peace processes.

In an interview with VOA's Burmese Service on Wednesday, a government spokesperson acknowledged that "training jets" were used against Kachin rebels in response to attacks by the Kachin Independence Organization.

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More News On Burma Launching Air Strikes Against Kachin Rebels

Army admits aerial assault on Kachin rebels -- Democratic Voice of Burma
Video shows Burma military 'targeting Kachin rebels' -- BBC
Burmese army use airstrikes as conflict escalates -- ABC News (Australia)
Myanmar: Gov't aircraft in rebel-held area -- UPI
Myanmar air strikes reported on Kachin rebels -- Al Jazeera
Kachin War Strays to Chinese Soil -- The Irrawaddy
Myanmar: war skirting Chinese air space? -- Global Post
Burma ‘using Chinese airspace’ as fighting nears Kachin HQ -- Asian Correspondent
Myanmar government and rebels trade charges over upsurge in fighting in north -- Washington Post/AP