Troops Regaining Control in Eastern Burma

Officials in Thailand say they have begun sending thousands of refugees back into Burma after confirming the end of three days of clashes in a Burmese border town.

Sporadic gunfire was reported earlier Tuesday from Myawaddy, the border town where ethnic Karen militiamen seized several buildings Sunday during the country's first elections in 20 years.

But Burmese authorities told news agencies they were rapidly re-establishing control and Thai officials said Tuesday afternoon they had received a green light to begin sending an estimated 20,000 refugees back to their homes.

The fighting was sparked by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, a breakaway group from a larger Karen ethnic militia. News agencies reported between three and 10 people were killed in the clashes.

More fighting was reported Monday and Tuesday at Three Pagodas Pass, further south along the Thai-Burmese border.

Officials in Thailand say they have begun sending thousands of refugees back into Burma after confirming the end of three days of clashes in a Burmese border town. Sporadic gunfire was reported earlier Tuesday from Myawaddy, the border town where ethnic Karen militiamen seized several buildings Sunday during the country's first elections in 20 years. But Burmese authorities told news agencies they were rapidly re-establishing control and Thai officials said Tuesday afternoon they had received a green light to begin sending an estimated 20,000 refugees back to their homes. The fighting was sparked by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, a breakaway group from a larger Karen ethnic militia. News agencies reported between three and 10 people were killed in the clashes. More fighting was reported Monday and Tuesday at Three Pagodas Pass, further south along the Thai-Burmese border.