- Web Master
- October 21, 2024
The military junta has relinquished many military installations, including the
373rd light infantry battalion under the western command in Ann township of
Arakan State.
A source close to the military informed Narinjara News that the junta soldiers
lost control of the strategic Kan Date Taung artillery hill and 373rd light
infantry battalion, despite they tried to defend their positions using
airstrikes and engaging ground forces.
"Kan Date Taung was captured first and it was followed by the 373rd
battalion. I heard that the capture was completed on 11 October. The sound of
small arms firing is no longer heard here. The airstrikes were conducted using
fighter jets in the afternoon hours. Later in the night hours the 373rd
battalion fell. Some junta forces surrendered and others fled to the air
defense base," added the source.
The western command and the 373rd battalion were located
about five miles apart. The retreating soldiers joined the air defense and
SaYaPha units.
The Arakan Army (AA) launched an offensive against the battalion on the evening
of 10 October following the capture of Mel Taung tactical operation
command. The AA fighters seized control of the battalion the next evening.
The Kan Date Taung artillery base, the highest ridge
connected to the area where the 373rd battalion is located, was captured
on 11 October by 2 pm.
The AA has not issued any statement regarding the
capture of these military installations and hence Narinjara News cannot
authenticate the information.
The junta soldiers repeatedly conducted airstrikes and
by 4 pm they targeted Mel La Maung secondary school destroying the buildings.
They also dug a tunnel into the mountain of the air defense base to prepare for
defense against the probable AA offensive.
However, divisions among the junta forces, demoralization
among soldiers and lack of wil may soon lead to the fall of the western command
based in Ann locality.