Rebel group calls for no-fly zone to protect civilians

Caught in the middle: Refugees, who earlier fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels, preparing to voluntarily return across the border to Myanmar at a pier in Mae Sot district, Tak province in Thailand. — Reuters

THE country’s oldest rebel force wants international help to establish a “no-fly zone” near the Thai border, after warning that there was a danger of clashes with the army resulting in civilians being targeted by airstrikes.

There has been an escalation in fighting recently between the army and the Karen National Union (KNU), prompting thousands of people to seek refuge in Thailand.