RAKHINE STATE -Local said, “Yesterday, March 24, there was a clash between the Junta Council Army and the Arakan Army AA in Ann township, Rakhine State.
A person close to the AA said that the fighting was caused by AA’s interception of the Junta Council’s column, and there were casualties from the Junta Council.
“It happened on the side of the range over Ann. I know it was an interception. I don’t know the exact strength of the junta council. The junta council side has a lot of casualties,” he said.
In addition, yesterday, March 24th, a junta council force of about 100 soldiers left for the south of Nat Sin near Lone Village in Ann Township, and they fired heavy and small weapons in the vicinity, according to a resident of Ann.
“Yesterday around noon, about 100 soldiers went out to the south of Nat Sin, one mile away from the Western Military Headquarters in Ann. Heavy weapons were being fired and airstrikes were being made around there. There was no battle,” he said.
The junta council army used the air force to shoot the hills and mountains near Ann City and also fire with heavy weapons. Aerial bombardments are constantly being carried out. Today, March 25th, the Junta Council Army has been bombing the hills and mountains with MI 35 choppers and fighter jets, according to residents of Ann.
The Junta Council troops in Ann have been doing more military activities around Ann these days and they have forced the Muslim villagers to make bamboo spikes to prepare for defense, according to An residents.
Recently, two sides have been fighting fiercely in Yathaetaung and Butheetaung. Military tensions are high in Taungkot, Kyauk Phyu, Thandwe, and Sittwe including Ann area.