Three new military recruits from Infantry Battalion 417 in Minbu District, Magway Region, have defected to the people’s side, bringing with them three firearms and ammunition, according to an official from Battalion 2, Military Region 1 in Minbu District. The soldiers defected on April 30 from Infantry Battalion 417 under Division 99. The defectors were originally from Aunglan Township, Salin Township, and Naypyidaw, and had been forcibly conscripted into military service by the military council.
The defecting soldiers were part of the 7th batch of military training recruits who had been forcibly taken as porters by the military council while they were having tea at local teashops and shopping at markets. They brought with them three MA-1 rifles, 650 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 15 magazines, three equipment belts, three military caps, one hand grenade, and three EY grenades. They had undergone military training in various locations including Pathyu, Hopong, and Hpasawng areas. The soldiers had been forced into military service through the military council’s practice of arbitrary recruitment of civilians.
An official from Battalion 2 in Minbu District stated that they warmly welcome those who voluntarily choose to switch sides to stand with the people, emphasizing that opportunities still exist for those within the military council’s forces who wish to defect to the people’s side. The defecting soldiers were processed according to military procedures and awarded recognition money. The statement also indicated that future military council soldiers who wish to defect would be guaranteed full human rights, and those who bring weapons when defecting would receive monetary rewards. This development represents another instance of forced recruits choosing to leave the military council’s forces, highlighting the ongoing issue of forced conscription and the growing number of defections to the people’s side.
