Four new soldiers who were forcibly conscripted and held as porters at the Northwest Military Command headquarters in Monywa, Sagaing Region, have defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) with three firearms, according to a responsible official from the Monywa Township People’s Defense Force. The incident occurred on July 3, when the new soldiers coordinated with the Monywa Township PDF and Township 2 PDF combat units to arrange their defection. The soldiers had been forced into military service after being captured and used as porters by the military council.
According to sources, the military council’s administrative officials have been threatening and coercing children of wealthy local residents to serve in the military as substitutes. The new soldiers were warned that if they attempted to escape to PDF forces during their service, their families’ properties would be confiscated and their lives would be threatened. This forced recruitment practice represents a human rights violation by the military council and contravenes international law. The administrative officials, acting under the military council’s authority, have been implementing these coercive measures as part of the junta’s broader strategy of maintaining control through fear and intimidation.
A spokesperson from the Monywa Township People’s Defense Force emphasized that the defecting soldiers are being treated humanely, with no torture or abuse. Those who have not been involved in war crimes are being given the freedom to choose their path forward according to their wishes. The PDF has also announced that they will continue to welcome any other forcibly recruited soldiers who wish to defect from the military council’s forces. These defections not only weaken the military council’s capabilities but also potentially strengthen the people’s revolution by providing additional support to resistance forces. The PDF maintains an open-door policy for those who wish to escape from forced military service and join the democratic forces, demonstrating their commitment to protecting civilians who have been victimized by the military council’s oppressive practices.
