The Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government announced on August 12 that a deputy police officer and two forcibly recruited servicemen escaped from a military vessel group that was heading to Banmaw, Kachin State, to deliver military reinforcements and supplies. The escapees were identified as Deputy Police Officer Thu Ra Aung and forcibly recruited servicemen Han Win Aung and Paing Htet Aung. They are currently being held by the People’s Defense Force in accordance with military law.
The military council deployed more than 20 vessels from Gawwein Port in Mandalay, traveling up the Ayeyarwady River since early July to transport military reinforcements and supplies to Banmaw. During their journey, the People’s Defense Force, People’s Defense Teams, and allied forces conducted multiple attacks along the river route. During these engagements, confusion arose among the military council troops aboard the vessels, leading to these escapes. According to the statements from the three escapees, there is widespread demoralization among soldiers and forcibly recruited servicemen on the vessels, with many planning to escape from military control.
The escapees testified that due to the military council’s oppression and forced conscription, troop morale continues to decline significantly. They also admitted that there is growing fear among the personnel due to continuous attacks on the vessel convoy. The testimonies reveal the deteriorating conditions within the military vessels and the increasing desire among both regular soldiers and conscripts to escape from the military council’s control. The ongoing attacks on the vessel convoy have created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty among those aboard, further contributing to the declining morale of military personnel.
