an IED. Gun battles were exchanged between Junta troops and DKBA personal between 26 and 27 January. According to DKBA sources 26 Junta soldiers were killed and 35 wounded during the fighting. At least 200 more refugees have fled over the Thai border and have taken refuge in the Thai Phop Phra District. DKBA forces accused the Thai Army of allowing Burmese troops to cross into Thai territory to attack Brigade 5 from Thai soil. Thai military officials have made no comment on the matter. February For the first time in over 10 years the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) had an armed clash with Government Troops, reportedly wounding a battalion commander as well as several other soldiers. The KIO said that junta troops, led by battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Yin Htwe, intruded into a KIO-controlled area, which started the fighting. Yin Htwe's condition was unknown. The fighting lasted for approximately 20 minutes before government troops withdrew. According to the KIO, the two sides last fought in April 1997 near Nammatee in Kachin State. March The KNLA ambushed a convoy of 27 trucks carrying more than 300 troops between Kanelay and Bayintnaung in the Waw Lay area killing 16 and wounding 17. From the period 1 January to 31 March 2011, the KNLA was involved in 526 clashes with the Myanmar Army. April 15 April: The conflict escalates from Three Pagodas Pass to Shan State. May 2 May: Clash between the Burmese military troops and the Karenni soldiers near Daw Ta Naw village. 3 May: Clashes between the Burmese military troops and an alliance of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kyarinnseikgyi township. June 12 June: Clashes between the Burmese military troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) at Sang Gang, Kachin State, Northern Burma. 13 June: The KIA declared a state of war. July 2 July: Kler Day road, Karen State. A Myanmar army battalion commander killed and another company commander and a sergeant wounded. 7 July: After a break starts KIA fighting again. 8 July: Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 62 based in Thanphyuzayart, between Three Pagodas Pass and Moulmein expect an attack from KNLA. September Myanmar border clashes intensify. 24–26 September: Four days as heavy fighting by KIA November The government and the Karen National Union agreed to talks aimed at negotiating a ceasefire and eventual lasting peace. Economic impact The recent