Northern Myanmar fightings leave 47 troops dead, 73 injured

YANGON - Fightings between government troops and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Northern Myanmar's Kokang from Feb. 9-12 have left 47 government troop officers and soldiers killed and 73 others injured, Myanmar's military television reported on Thursday evening.

The MNDAA, termed by the government as Kokang renegade troops, began to attack government troops on Feb. 9.

There has been dozens of ethnic armed groups in Myanmar since its independence in 1948. U Thein Sein's government has repeatedly reiterated its policy on national reconciliation.

Dialogue between the government and the ethnic armed groups has made important progress, but a nationwide ceasefire agreement is yet to be signed.