Fighting intensifies in Ann

By Admin 05 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 December 2024, Ann

Fighting has further intensified in Arakan State’s Ann Township as the Arakkha Army (AA) continues its assault on the Western Command headquarters.

The AA has been attacking the Western Command headquarters since seizing control of Ann Town on Monday.

A source from the battlefield said: “The fighting has been intense day and night as the AA is attacking the Western Command headquarters. The regime has responded with airstrikes.”

Of 18 battalions and units stationed in Ann Township, the AA had captured eight of them by mid-November, launching attacks on the remaining junta positions.

The regime has deployed warplanes and artillery to defend against the AA’s attacks while bringing in reinforcements by air and land.

However, the regime has been forced to primarily airlift its reinforcements as People’s Defense Force (PDF) groups are ambushing junta reinforcements sent by road from Magwe to Ann.

“Junta bases in Ann are collapsing. Soldiers are either fleeing or surrendering their weapons, indicating the losses of the regime in the battle for Ann,” said an Arakanese military observer.

On Wednesday, three junta trucks carrying food supplies to Ann were attacked by the People’s Revolutionary Alliance (PRA-Magway) with mines on the Ann-Padan road in Ngape Township, killing nine junta soldiers and damaging two junta trucks.

The PDFs announced on Wednesday the capture of 12 military personnel, including a major, fleeing from the Ann battle.

On November 23, the Student Army (SAF) captured 14 soldiers fleeing from the Ann battle on the Ann-Padan road.

Following the onset of intense clashes in Ann Township, the regime blockaded entry and exit points to the town, trapping thousands of residents. The AA has been rescuing these trapped residents and relocating them to safer areas.

“The AA has rescued the trapped residents since seizing the town. There are no residents left in the town,” said a source.

Many residents from Ann Township displaced by the fighting are in need food, medicine, clothing and other necessities.

The AA has seized Ann, Taungup, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Ramree and Thandwe towns in the latest fighting, which first broke out in November of last year.