Gunfighting broke out in the Thai-Myanmar border as rebel forces battled with the Myanmar military.

Machine gunshots rang near the district of Mae Sot in Tak province, Thailand on Thursday afternoon February 17 as Karenni soldiers attacked military troops stationed near Myanmar's Myawaddy Province.

A few hours after, the junta retaliated by launching an airstrike, using attack helicopters to rain down fire on the rebels.

Villagers in Mae Khon Kaen said the area had been relatively peaceful until Wednesday's intense battle, where explosions and heavy gunfire were heard across the mountains.

No injuries were recorded on the Thai side of the border. Meanwhile, initial reports said that both Karenni and Myanmar forces suffered an indeterminate injuries and casualties. Exact figures are still being determined as the shooting was still ongoing. The Thai army task force is monitoring the situation.

Fighting between the armed militias and the Burmese military has intensified amid the political turmoil in Myanmar caused by the ousting of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

Around the country, thousands of civilians are said to have been killed during military crackdowns on protests.