A defected soldier named Nan Lin Thu has revealed that numerous military council troops were killed due to friendly fire from their own air force during the battle in Nyaung Kyoe, Pantaung Township, Bago Region. According to his account, the combination of misguided airstrikes by military council aircraft and attacks by the Arakan Army (AA) resulted in the deaths of more than 120 soldiers, with the remaining troops dispersing and fleeing from their positions.
Nan Lin Thu, a new recruit, was initially forced into military service after being captured as a porter by the military council forces in Kyopinkaut Township’s Yayban Seinyoegyi village on September 18, 2024. He was taken to the 6th Infantry Division and subsequently sent to the No. 4 Military Training School in Wekali, Thanzayat Township, where he completed the 6th batch of military training. After training, he was deployed to the frontline outpost in Nat San Kwin, Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region, before being transferred to the Nyaung Kyoe outpost.
During his service, Nan Lin Thu attempted to escape from the Nat San Kwin frontline position but was unable to do so due to the presence of landmines. Following orders to deploy to Rakhine State, he tried to escape while restocking ammunition at the Taungoo base but was recaptured at the Mee Nin Chaung checkpoint in Ayeyarwady. He was detained at the Pyay military base, later released, and sent back to Nyaung Kyoe.
On March 16, Nan Lin Thu successfully defected without weapons to the Underground Guerrilla Force-Oatpho, Battalion 3802 Division 4 in Thayarwady District, where he declared his intention to join the revolutionary forces in their fight against the military council. According to a PDF official from Thayarwady District, the casualties from the military council’s own airstrikes during the Nyaung Kyoe battle exceeded those caused by the AA’s attacks. The resistance forces have issued statements encouraging other forcibly recruited soldiers to defect, promising appropriate rewards for those who join the revolution with their weapons.
