Patients from the military hospital have been
moved to No. 2 Basic Education High School in Ann Town as a result of the
Arakan Army's (AA) increased offensive against the military intelligence unit
(SaYaPha) and the medical corps close to the Western Command.
To keep civilians from receiving medical care,
Ann Town's General Hospital has also been closed.
According to a local eyewitness who spoke to
Narinjara News, on October 20, artillery shells fired during the AA onslaught
caused injured patients and military doctors to be transferred overnight from
the military hospital within the medical corps.
"Junta soldiers appear to be hurt in large
numbers. With the help of military physicians, they relocated three times in
seven cars. No. 2 Basic Education High School is currently the new location for
the patients. The medical corps and SaYaPha are also the scene of fierce
fighting, and they were evacuated when artillery shells struck them," said
the witness.
According to a different resident, the medical corps'
military hospital had to be evacuated after AA artillery shells hit it, killing
multiple soldiers, including some officers.
"The Western Command and the surrounding
territories were struck by artillery munitions. Explosions could be heard
everywhere due to the intensity of the offensive. The military hospital is
currently caring for a large number of injured Junta soldiers, and the patients
are being evacuated," the resident stated.
Additionally, the Ann District General Hospital is currently
under military guard and has been shuttered to prevent people from accessing
medical attention.
"Ann General Hospital, which is now manned
by the military, is no longer able to provide medical care to civilians.
Another resident stated, "SaYaPha and the medical corps have reportedly
fallen as well, and the conflict is moving toward the Western Command."
Locals reportedly reported that the combat is
still going on beyond the golf field, which is a military officers' relaxation
area, and that the AA has taken several battalions close to the junta's Western
Command.