Clashes between Myanmar military, ethnic groups near Thai border 

Fighting has broken out between the Myanmar military and armed ethnic groups near a vital trade hub near the Thai border.

Witnesses on the Thai and Myanmar sides of the border also reported that they heard explosions and heavy machine-gun fire near a strategic bridge from late Friday that continued into early Saturday.

During the earlier clashes, some soldiers had taken shelter under a bridge connecting Myadwaddy to the Thai town of Mae Sot, according to the anti-junta Karen National Union (KNU).

Myanmar has been roiled in conflict since the military seized power from a democratically elected government in a 2021 coup.

Fierce fighting broke out around the Myanmar trade hub Myawaddy earlier this month with the military forced to withdraw from its positions in the town.