A ceremony was held to honor members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) from Sagaing Region who fought alongside the Arakan Army (AA) in the battle for Ann Town in Rakhine State. From Sagaing Region’s Yinmabin District, 32 PDF members participated in the battle, with two members making the ultimate sacrifice and one member losing a leg in combat. During the ceremony, victorious fighters were presented with honorary awards, and financial support was provided to the families of those who lost their lives.
The battle for Ann Town concluded successfully on December 20, 2024, when the AA and allied forces captured the military council’s Western Command Headquarters (Na Pa Kha). During this operation, they managed to capture two high-ranking military council officials alive: Colonel General Thaung Htun, the Deputy Regional Commander of Na Pa Kha, and Colonel General Kyaw Kyaw Than, the Regional Military Chief of Staff. This victory marked a significant milestone in the Myanmar people’s struggle against the authoritarian system.
The collaboration between Sagaing Region PDF members and their counterparts in Rakhine State demonstrated the strength of united forces in their fight against the military council. This cooperation between revolutionary forces from different states and regions plays a crucial role in the effort to end the military dictatorship. The ceremony not only recognizes the sacrifices made by the fighting forces but also serves as motivation for future operations. The successful coordination between resistance forces from different regions represents a significant development in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Myanmar.
