Heavy attacks by the Arakan Army (AA) and allies have triggered calls for surrender among junta troops defending Ann town in Myanmar’s Rakhine State where the military’s Western Command is based, according to sources.
“The two sides clashed fiercely on Mt. Palaung west of Ann Airport on Tuesday. Civilians were killed and injured when shells hit a ward adjacent to the airport,” a resident of Ann said.
“After the AA intensified its attacks on Western Command headquarters, I heard there was a dispute on Monday between those who want to surrender and those who are determined to fight back.”
The AA has captured the town’s military hospital, Light Infantry Battalion 373, a military security affairs battalion, an artillery battalion, an ordnance depot, and an engineering battalion, according to Ann residents.
A resident close to the AA said the ethnic armed group has captured most combat support battalions around the town.
“The AA has reportedly seized about 75 percent of battalions under Western Command and is clearing their bases,” he told The Irrawaddy.
Military observers say the fall of Western Command now appears inevitable. If that happens, it would become the second regional command seized by anti-regime groups after North Eastern Command, based in northern Shan State’s capital of Lashio, fell to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in August.
The AA has also seized control of Ann Airport and roads linking Ann with other parts of the country, including the capital Sittwe, Maei in Rakhine’s Taungup Township, and Minbu in Magwe Region, forcing the regime to airlift reinforcements and supplies.
The Student Armed Force, People’s Defense Forces, and resistance groups from Magwe Region are fighting alongside the AA in Ann.
The regime is deploying continuous airstrikes along with reinforcements from neighboring Magwe and Ayeyarwady regions to defend Ann. However, numerous junta soldiers have surrendered to the AA after being sent to reinforce the area, according to sources.
In April, the AA captured Taw Hein Taung operations headquarters, 32km from Ann town. It made sweeping gains after seizing another key base, at Mae Taung around 11km from Ann, earlier this month.
The Western Command headquarters, 3km west of the town, is now under attack. Two light infantry battalions and a military police battalion are stationed in the town.
