A corporal from Light Infantry Battalion 259 has defected to the people’s side with weapons and ammunition in Seikphyu Township, Magway Region, as confirmed by Ko Aung Maung, the spokesperson for Southern YSO PDF. The corporal, who was serving at the Myittha Island Stream Power Station, made contact with Southern YSO PDF and defected on February 25, stating he no longer wished to serve under the military council. The defector was originally stationed with LIB 259 based in Pakokku.
Corporal Phyu Lay brought with him one MA-2 rifle, five magazines, 300 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and one hand grenade when he defected. This defection with weapons represents another blow to the military council, which has been experiencing increasingly frequent desertions and declining morale among its ranks. The situation reflects the deteriorating conditions within the military council’s forces, where soldiers are becoming increasingly disillusioned with their service.
The Southern YSO PDF awarded the defecting Corporal Phyu Lay with 4 million kyats (approximately 40 lakhs) as a gesture of recognition and has arranged for his safe relocation to an area of his choosing. This kind of support for military defectors is seen as encouraging for others who may be considering leaving the military council’s forces. Reports indicate that many soldiers within the military ranks are contemplating desertion when opportunities arise, largely due to the declining morale and conditions within the military council’s forces.
