The Arakan Army (AA) has launched an offensive againstthe garrison engineer battalion (GE) near the western command in Ann townshipof Rakhine State.

A resident of Ann informed Narinjara News that theclash between the GE personnel and AA fighters began at 5:30 pm on 31 March.

"The GE battalion is located to the west of thesupply unit. Both sides fired at each other and the fighting continued for thewhole night,” he added.

The junta forces on 1 April bombarded Ann localitywith airstrikes and naval attacks.

"The junta used navy, air force and armypersonnel in the battle. The soldiers targeted the Kan Htaung Gyi town, KazuKaing and Dar Lat area. Later the AA fighters launched another offensiveagainst them,”  he explained.

The artillery shells are being fired daily by the jetfighters and MI-35 helicopters. The artillery units stationed at 1-mile hill inAnn,  371st light infantry battalion, artillery battalion of the westerncommand and Taw Hein Taung tactical operation command in Kazu Kaing wereactivated. Additionally, navy ships stationed at Naung Taw Gyi and Naung DawNge in Myebon township were also engaged in firing artillery shells.

The GE battalion  is positioned near the 371stlight infantry battalion and the signals battalion.

Meanwhile, all family members of the Ann-based 372ndlight infantry battalion and supply unit had retreated to western command on 27March and regrouped.

As the fighting intensified, the local residents fledto  safer places.