Summary: Ethnic Kachin rebels have reached agreement with Myanmar's government to ease tensions that have reignited one of the country's bloodiest conflicts. Kachin rebels have been seeking greater autonomy from Myanmar's government for more than half a century. Simmering tensions have reignited with devastating consequences; an unprecedented escalation in fighting shattered a 17-year truce. Myanmar's military unleashed fighter jets and helicopter gunships on Kachin rebel positions. The heavy fighting is raising doubts about President Thein Sein's ability to control the military, at a time when the country is striding out along the road to democratic reform. The two sides have now agreed to more peace talks after a seven hour meeting in southern China.
