Chin resistance group ambushes regime reinforcements heading to Ann

By Admin 26 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 November 2024, Mrauk-U

The Chin Defense Force - Asho (CDF - Asho) ambushed junta troops providing security for regime reinforcements heading to Ann, the headquarters of the Myanmar military's Western Command, on the Ann-Padan Road on Monday.

More than 20 junta soldiers deployed at a monastery near Gotegyi Village in Ngape Township, Magway Region, were ambushed on their way along the Ann-Padan Road to provide security for military trucks heading from Minbu Town to Ann.

Junta soldiers stationed near the Taung Ywar Monastery in Gotegyi Village were securing the route for military vehicles coming from Minbu to Ann. They were attacked by CDF - Asho near Khon Zu Village on the Ann-Padan road.

Four junta soldiers were reportedly killed and several others were injured. One rifle and some military uniforms were seized during the fighting, the CDF - Asho reported. DMG could not independently verify the junta casualty reports.

The Arakkha Army (AA) has been fighting for control of Ann Town since the end of September. The Ann-Padan-Minbu road is the only route for the junta to send reinforcements to Ann, where the regime is losing ground.

A local source told DMG that the junta reinforced the Nat Yekan camp on the Ann-Minbu road near the border of Arakan State and Magway Region on November 21.

"The convoy of 26 military vehicles reinforced the Nat Yekan camp. But they still can't advance towards Ann," the source said.

On November 20, the People's Revolutionary Alliance (PRA - Magway) ambushed a junta convoy traveling from Ngaphe Township to Ann, killing and wounding junta soldiers.

One Myanmar military defector said: "CDF - Asho, PRA-Magway, and anti-regime groups in Minbu District are intercepting junta reinforcements to help the AA with its attacks on Ann, Taungup and Gwa."

Ann is critically important for the regime as the fall of the town would allow the AA to threaten the junta's ordnance factories in Magway Region, according to analysts. If it falls, the Western Command will be the second regional command to be seized by ethnic armed groups.

"With the dry season approaching, battles in Arakan could intensify. If the AA captures the remaining townships, they could extend their operations to Ayeyarwady and Magway regions for regional security," an Arakanese military and political analyst said.

Since launching an offensive in November of last year, the AA has captured 10 townships in Arakan State plus neighbouring Paletwa Township in Chin State. It has been working to install its own administration in the seized territories.