Fewer Than a Hundred People Still Trapped in Ann Township
Arakha Times | November 30, 2024
The number of people trapped in Ann Township, where intense fighting has been ongoing, has now dropped to fewer than a hundred, according to local residents. At the height of the crisis, the population was over 6,000.
From November 23 to 25, the Arakan Army rescued more than 200 locals trapped in the upper part of Ann Township due to shortages of food and water.
A resident of Ann Township confirmed that the Arakan Army will continue its efforts to rescue the remaining residents. “I believe there are fewer than a hundred left now. There were about 6,000 people trapped in Ann Township. As the military council conducted the blockade, we learned that the Rakhine State Army managed to rescue more than 5,000 people. Now, it seems fewer than a hundred remain. Some people are unable to leave because they are caring for elderly relatives who have difficulty moving. But as far as we know, fewer than 100 are still here. The Arakan Army is mainly focused on the lives of people caught in the conflict, but we believe they will help rescue as many as possible,” he told Arakha Times.
In October, the military council ordered the evacuation of seven villages in Ann Township due to intense fighting, forcing residents to flee with only the clothes on their backs.
The remaining residents in Ann Township are likely to be elderly individuals, children, and those caring for them, according to local reports.
All social assistance organizations in the area have also fled due to the ongoing fighting.
Ko Min Khaing, a local resident, emphasized that the remaining people should be moved to safer locations. “The evacuation is mainly focused on the elderly, but it has not been extensive because of the ongoing fighting. The organizations that were helping have left the area. All charitable organizations are avoiding the region due to the high risk. Since we are trapped in the city ourselves, we should try to move them to safer places if possible,” he told Arakha Times.
Currently, the Araka Army is providing accommodation and food to more than 4,000 people in Ann Township, which remains a hotspot for conflict.
Meanwhile, villages located about 50 miles away from Ann Township are safe, with locals there helping each other by sharing food and clothing.
