The Karen National Union (KNU) Myeik-Dawei District has announced that five military council soldiers have defected to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 4 in Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik-Dawei District, bringing weapons with them. The incident occurred on July 5, when soldiers from Infantry Battalions 103 and 267 decided to join the people’s side after realizing the truth about the situation. They brought with them two MA-1 rifles, seven ammunition magazines, and 198 rounds of ammunition.
Simultaneously, Police Officer Aung Ko Latt from the Simikan area police station in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region, defected to the Myingyan Northerners Guerrilla Force (MNGF) on July 2, along with his family members and military equipment. He brought 160 rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade. The police officer made this decision after becoming disgusted with the military council’s violent actions and chose to join the country’s democratic movement with his family.
A representative from the Myingyan Northerners Guerrilla Force stated that they have awarded monetary recognition to the defectors and are providing them with secure accommodation and protection. They also announced that they would continue to assist any other military council personnel who wish to defect and join the people’s side after realizing the truth. Currently, the defectors and their family members are being kept in secure locations with appropriate security measures, and the resistance group remains ready to welcome and accept any additional contacts from potential defectors.
