Before his trip to Russia, military council leader Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the importance of loyalty during a military Joint Operations Command (JOC) meeting at the military headquarters in Naypyidaw. According to military sources, he stated that while any other offense could be understood and pardoned, disloyalty would be absolutely unforgivable. This emphasis on loyalty comes at a time when the military is experiencing significant defections from within its ranks, highlighting growing internal challenges for the military council.
The National Unity Government (NUG) spokesperson U Nay Bun Lat has revealed that while some battalions have withdrawn from the resistance for various reasons, numerous People’s Defense Force (PDF) battalions are applying to join under NUG’s command. Additionally, a significant development has occurred with 64 military and police personnel, including a major, seeking refuge with the NUG’s public protection program. This wave of defections represents a notable shift in allegiance and suggests declining morale within the military council’s forces. The continuous flow of military personnel seeking protection under the NUG demonstrates the eroding confidence in the military council’s leadership and its ability to maintain control over its forces.
In Karenni State, intense fighting continues between the military council forces and revolutionary forces. In one significant battle near Moebye, seven military council soldiers were killed, and the resistance forces successfully captured their weapons and ammunition. These ongoing battles and losses indicate the military council’s weakening grip on territorial control and its inability to effectively counter the growing strength of resistance forces. The successful operations by revolutionary forces in capturing both personnel and military equipment further demonstrate the shifting balance of power in various regions of the country, particularly in areas where ethnic armed organizations and resistance forces have established strong footholds.
