A soldier from the military council’s Infantry Battalion 401 based in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region, has defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) of Longlone Township with his weapons and ammunition. The incident occurred on May 11, when the soldier voluntarily contacted the PDF and joined the people’s side, bringing his weapons and ammunition with him.
The People’s Defense Force of Longlone Township warmly welcomed the defecting soldier and awarded him an initial reward of 3 million kyats (thirty lakhs). This defection demonstrates the declining morale within the military council’s forces and represents a success for the people’s revolutionary forces. The defecting soldier also provided the People’s Defense Force with valuable information about conditions within the military council’s army and military intelligence.
Such defections not only weaken the military council’s forces but also provide crucial intelligence for the people’s revolution, contributing to its success. The willingness of soldiers to defect with their weapons and join the civilian resistance movement indicates growing dissatisfaction within the military council’s ranks and strengthens the position of the revolutionary forces fighting for democracy and freedom from military oppression.
