AA seizes another junta battalion in battle for Ann Twsp

By Admin 30 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 October 2024, Ann

The Arakkha Army (AA) has captured a junta artillery battalion in Arakan State's Ann Township, where the Myanmar military's Western Command is based.

The artillery battalion stationed on Kulaung Hill fell on Tuesday, according to a source.

"The battalion is north of Ann Town, and was seized by the AA yesterday at noon. The regime responded with air attacks after the fall of the battalion. It also dropped bombs around the town last night," said the source.

The two sides clashed near the Yangon-Sittwe road at the entrance to Sittwe Town on Tuesday. Fighting has been raging around the junta's Artillery Battalion No. 374, an ordnance depot, and three villages near the Western Command headquarters.

"Artillery Battalion 374 and the ordnance depot have almost fallen. The regime shelled around those positions daily lately, inflicting civilian casualties," said another source.

The AA launched an assault against junta positions in Ann Township in March, and has since seized two hilltop tactical operation commands and several outposts. Light Infantry Battalion No. 373, a military security battalion and a medical corps have since withdrawn to join the Western Command headquarters and other military units based in Ann Town.

"The AA is gaining ground in the battle for control of Ann Town," said one military observer. "It has encircled the entire town and escalated its attacks. The junta's ground troops have been hit hard, and the regime is only relying on the air force to defend the town. Ann will fall sooner or later depending on the intensity of the AA's attacks."

Since the latest fighting began in November of last year, the AA has seized 10 townships in Arakan State as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.