CNI News
7 November 2024
As battles are severely breaking out in the Ann township, Rakhine State where the West Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw is located, some are asking questions about how important Ann is for the military and economy.
Ann was strategically important, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, U Tun Aung Kyaw told CNI News.
" Ann is really pivotal. The West Command is located in Ann. The command was strategically built when the mainland government ruled. But now when the people across the country don't accept the government, strategic calculations regarding Ann were wrong. There are about 300 villages in Ann Township. The military council can't control all the villages. It is only in Ann. If the military council lost control of all villages in the township, the command would be broken." he said.
While seeing the Arakan Army (AA)
Moreover, if the Myanmar Tatmadaw lost control of Ann Town, as there are international investments and projects in Rakhine State, India and China would have to talk with the Arakan Army (AA), added U Tun Aung Kyaw.
" Economically, as soon as the Myanmar Tatmadaw loses the military command in Ann, India and China will need to talk with the AA because India's Kaladan River Project is located in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. Moreover, China's two ocean project is in Kyauk Phyu." he said.
Besides, the trans-border petroleum and natural gas pipeline project has been linked from the west coastline in Rakhine State, Myanmar to the western provinces in China through the northeastern Shan State.
The project passes 22 townships in Rakhine State, Magway, Mandalay Regions and Shan State, and its total cost is over 2.45 billion US dollars.
Moreover, the Kaladan River Project is being built, linking Mizoram Province, India with Sittwe Port and it is a trade route that contains roads and waterways through Paletwa Town, Chin State.
While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw
Battles could be more severe because Ann is important to both sides, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.
" Ann is very important to both sides. Most of the territories in Rakhine have been captured by the AA. Ann only is left. The military council has considered that it will defend severely from Ann, I think. The AA will have to attack severely, I think. I heard the AA has surrounded Ann." she said.
The AA had said it would protect China's interests since it launched its military operations; both sides would not hurt or would not dare to hurt or should not hurt the interests of China, pointed out military analysts. Battles are severely taking place in Ann, Maungdaw and Taunggoat Townships between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA.
At present the AA is launching offensives in Ann, Maungdaw, Gwa and Taunggoat Townships in multitude while it has surrounded and blocked Kyauk Phyu, Manaung and Sittwe Townships. Some Chin armed groups, the SAF and armed forces from the Spring Revolution are fighting for the AA.
