Food supplies dwindle in Ann amid heavy fighting

By Admin 25 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 October 2024, Sittwe

Basic foods including rice are running low in Ann Town amid heavy fighting between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Ann Township.

The regime has blockaded Ann Town since October 17 in response to the fighting, resulting in food shortages and price hikes.

"Rice prices have soared, but it is difficult to buy rice. Even if you have money, there are many things that you can't buy now," said one Ann resident.

Many Ann Town residents fled after the fighting broke out in Ann Township, but others have remained behind for various reasons.

Prices have doubled, with prices of regular rice increasing from 3,000 to 6,000 kyats per pyi, premier rice from 5,000 to 10,000 kyats, and cooking oil from 30,000 to 50,000 kyats per viss.

Regular rice has run out in Ann Town, said one woman from the town. "Many shops have closed due to the fighting. It is difficult to buy food, and prices have also gone up."

Daily clashes have been reported in Ann Township as AA troops are reaching closer to the Western Command headquarters. The two sides are fighting at Infantry Battalion No. 374, an ordnance depot, and three villages near the Western Command.

One Ann resident said: "We can't sleep at night. We are worried about our children. Shelling and gunfire are louder at night."

Junta air and artillery strikes have inflicted civilian casualties in Ann.

Three residents including two children were killed and five others were wounded by a junta artillery strike on Laungsat Village in Ann Township on Monday.

The AA has seized two major tactical operations command bases crucial for the defence of the military's Western Command headquarters in Ann Township.