Thinzar New, NarinjaraNews, 21 June 2024

Fierce gun fighting erupted between the junta forces and ArakanArmy (AA) in various places under Ann township, as the AA fighters targeted themilitary airfield and western command.

"The AA fighters fired artillery shells targeting  theairfield, stadium and western command under Ann locality,” said a resident, whois a regular monitor over military situations in the Rakhine region.

He added that the AA fighters are using the artillery, which wereseized from the junta bases.

"One can say the proverb 'set a thief to catch a thief’ bythe  AA fighters, as they used the artillery, seized from the juntaforces, to hit their targets,” explained the resident.

He pointed out that the western command could survive only becauseof regular military aid from the junta. Currently, fierce fighting is going onat Taw Hein mountain area of Ann township.

“The AA fighters launched an offensive targeting the mountainpeak. The phone lines are not working that makes it difficult to gatherauthentic information from the ground," he stated.

If Taw Hein mountain falls into the hands of AA fighters, theywould advance towards the town. The junta forces are intensifying theirresidence to resist the AA offensives.

Meanwhile, the junta forces have increased their presence in MelTaung village. Ann is now understood to be  a heavily militarized zoneafter Sittwe. Moreover, Ann holds a great strategic importance for the juntaforces. In a real sense, both Sittwe and Ann are crucial towns for the juntaforces," he asserted.

The junta forces are now increasing their  military presencearound Taw Hein mountain and Mel mountain. They are also trying to establishmany artillery bases near Kyauk Za Kwe village. A large number of landmines arebeing planted by the junta soldiers in those areas.