FRESH fighting has broken out in north-eastern Myanmar, bringing an end to a Chinese-brokered ceasefire in the civil war and putting pressure on the military regime as it faces attacks from resistance forces on multiple fronts.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of three powerful militias that launched a surprise joint offensive last October, renewed its attacks on regime positions in the north-eastern state of Shan last week.

The state borders China, Laos and Thailand, plus the neighbouring Mandalay region.