YANGON: The United Nations on Monday voiced alarm at an upsurge of fighting in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin, as shelling was reported near civilian areas and rebels said clashes could spread.

There has been heavy fighting in Kachin, near the border with China, since the army’s surprise artillery attack on a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) training camp last week, which cast doubt over faltering peace talks.

The United Nations called for civilians to be protected in the fighting, which has caused around 100,000 people to flee their homes since a 17-year ceasefire ended in 2011.

Published in Dawn, November 25th , 2014