YANGON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) — A total of 13 members of the Kokang ethnic army were killed and eight others arrested by Myanmar government troops during renewed clashes in Laukkai, northeastern Shan state’s Kokang region, on Saturday, an official report said Sunday.

Government forces also seized some small weapons and ammunition in the clashes.

The two sides exchanged gunfire throughout Saturday in the area infiltrated by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ( MNDAA), termed by the government as Kokang renegade troops.

Saturday’s fighting was a continuation of previous clashes from Monday to Thursday during which government forces carried out five air strikes.

Forty-seven government troop members lost their lives while 73 others were injured in the four days of fighting, while casualties on the MNDAA side are yet unknown.