Min Shin Saw, Narinjara News, 26 October 2024
In Ann Town, Arakan State, home to the WesternCommand, junta troops have taken over monasteries, schools, and key spots incity neighborhoods after losing control of military bases on the outskirts.
After the Arakan Army (AA) seized almost allmilitary camps around the town, junta forces moved into urban areas, usinglocals as human shields, according to a military watcher from Ann Town.
"Since October 24 evening, junta forces have beenchecking overnight guest lists. They're looking for people who sent food to theAA or cooked for them. Their behavior towards Ann Town residents has changed,now using insults and swear words. Locals have nowhere to go as junta forcesnow stay in groups of five or seven in monasteries, schools, and even on thestreets," a resident said.
The Arakan Army's (AA) attack is gettingstronger, with fighting now reaching the edges of city neighborhoods andhappening in several places across town.
in Ann Town's urban areas,including Wards 3, 4, 5, Myoe Haung, Lay Yin Kwin, Ah Mu Htan, Chin Pyin Taw,Auk Ywar, Sin Doe, Dai Gyi, Gin Kone, In Kone, and Pel Pa Don, junta forces areusing residents as shields while setting up military positions.
Heavy fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) andjunta forces continues near the Battlefield Engineer Battalion (BE) and 1-MileHill, while the junta launches air attacks near Pel Pa Don village, forcinglocals to flee to nearby city areas.
The junta has told residents from villages onthe town's outskirts to move to Ann Town. Also, displaced people in Ann Towncan't leave, with junta forces using them as shields, just like the residentsin city neighborhoods.