BANGKOK, Thailand, Nov  21, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Myanmar anti-coup fighters
were battling the military for control of a state capital, both sides said on
Tuesday.

Clashes across Myanmar have entered a fourth week, sparked by a surprise
offensive against the military by an alliance of ethnic minorities along a
swathe of territory near the China border.

The offensive has galvanised other opponents of the military, with clashes
spreading to the east and west in what analysts say is the biggest challenge to
the junta since it seized power in 2021.

Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) and ethnic minority Karenni Army
(KA) fighters were in "very intense fighting" with the military in Loikaw town,
KNDF chairman Khun Bedu told AFP.

KNDF, KA and "People's Defence Force" fighters were "in control in many
areas," he said, without giving details.

He said the military was fighting from positions at the main police station
and other government buildings.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said anti-coup fighters had attacked Loikaw
prison on Tuesday, without giving details.

Loikaw is normally home to around 50,000 people.

The United Nations has evacuated most of its staff from Loikaw due to
"aerial bombardment of the town and active fighting in urban areas," a
spokesperson told AFP on Tuesday.

They did not say when the evacuations had taken place or how many staff had
left.

The "National Unity Government" dominated by lawmakers ousted in the
military's 2021 coup said that a total of 228 people -- UN and other NGO staff
and their families -- had been evacuated.

Anti-coup fighters also launched drone attacks on two airports in northern
Sagaing region, hundreds of kilometres from Kayah, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun
said.

He did not say whether the attacks had caused casualties or damage.

Fighting has raged since October 27 after the Myanmar National Democratic
Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army
(AA) launched attacks on the military near the northern border with China.

Last week the AA launched fresh attacks on the military in western Rakhine
state.

Access to the affected areas is impossible while fighting rages, making it
difficult to confirm casualty tolls from the various clashes.

At least 75 civilians including children have been killed and 94 people
wounded in the fighting, according to the United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing initial reports.