Defected soldiers have urged civilians to avoid military recruitment and escape if called up for service, citing high casualties among frontline troops. Three soldiers who defected to the Karen National Union (KNU) – Private Nyi Nyi Lwin and Private Nyer Maung from Infantry Battalion 20 in Nyaunglebin, and Private Soe Htay Aung from Infantry Battalion 581 in Kawthaung – made these statements after fleeing from their respective units. All three soldiers had been forcibly recruited through the military’s porter recruitment system.
According to the defectors, the military council is deploying all new recruits to frontline positions, resulting in significant casualties. Private Nyi Nyi Lwin was captured while traveling in Sagaing, Private Soe Htay Aung was seized during the night in Yangon, and Private Nyer Maung was taken by ward administrators in Natmauk Township, Magway Region, before being forced into military service. The defectors revealed that new recruits face immediate deployment to combat zones, with many losing their lives in battle. They described how ordinary civilians are being forcibly recruited through various means, including random arrests during travel, home raids, and even through paid substitutions.
The defectors exposed the harsh conditions within the military, including severe restrictions on movement, lack of information during heavy artillery security duties, and even basic limitations such as being unable to go shopping. They countered military council propaganda that claims revolutionary forces kill those who surrender or desert, confirming that defectors are actually well-received and cared for. The military council has been conducting monthly recruitment training since April 2024, now reaching the 15th batch of recruits.
The defectors emphasized that most soldiers within the military have no desire to fight, with the majority being forcibly recruited. They encouraged those still in the military to escape when possible, advising them to establish contact with revolutionary organizations for safe passage. They stressed that the military’s claims about the treatment of defectors are false propaganda, and assured that revolutionary forces provide good treatment and protection to those who defect. The testimonies of these defectors provide crucial insight into the current state of the military council’s forces and their recruitment practices, highlighting the ongoing crisis within their ranks.
