Two soldiers from the military council’s Infantry Battalion 224 have defected to the Karen National Union (KNU) forces during a battle near Theinkone village in Tanintharyi Township, Tanintharyi Region. The defection occurred on May 9th during ongoing clashes near Theinkone village along the Mawtaung border trade route. The defectors, a corporal and a private from Infantry Battalion 224 based in Bokpyin, surrendered to the Special Cobra Column under KNLA Battalion 11.
The defecting soldiers brought with them significant military equipment, including two MA-1 rifles, nine ammunition magazines, and 328 rounds of ammunition. In recognition of their defection with weapons, they will be awarded special monetary compensation, according to the commander of KNU Brigade 4, Battalion 11 Headquarters. According to the testimonies of the defectors, there is widespread desire among many military council troops to desert their posts, and conditions within military council units are deteriorating significantly. The defectors revealed that morale is extremely low among the ranks, and many soldiers are seeking opportunities to escape.
The Battalion Commander from KNU Brigade 4, Battalion 11 Headquarters stated that the military council is using new recruits as expendable forces in their operations, placing them in impossible tactical situations where they can neither advance nor retreat. As a result, it is anticipated that the number of defectors may increase in the coming period. The defectors’ testimonies also revealed serious issues within the military council’s forces, including declining morale, poor leadership, and logistical challenges that are contributing to the deteriorating psychological state of the troops. The situation reflects the growing internal crisis within the military council’s forces as they continue to face resistance across the country while struggling to maintain control over their own personnel.
