Fighting intensifies as Myanmar military clashes with ethnic armed groups across the country

The battle for the border town of Myawaddy in Myanmar has raged for the past three weeks. Rebels and the military are fighting for control of the area.

In the first of four special reports, Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng travelled to the frontline in Kayin state. He also spoke with one of the rebel commanders.

Ronan Lee is a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow at Loughborough University London, where he focuses on Asian politics and Myanmar.