Myanmar: Rebel forces unite against government

Two main ethnic Karen rebel groups that were once rivals along Myanmar's border with Thailand have joined forces to defend themselves against Myanmar's army.

The union of the Democratic Karen Buddhist and Karen National Liberation militias comes following clashes between them and troops that broke out earlier in the week after they resisted government efforts to recruit them to be a part of a border guard force.

The groups are confident that the newfound solidarity will strengthen them against military forces, who they say are planning on launching an all out offensive on them soon.

Aela Callan reports from the Thai-Myanmar border, where she met Karen rebel leaders.

[November 12, 2010]