A new recruit from Infantry Battalion 258, who was initially forced into porter service at the Sagaing Bridge connecting Sagaing Region and Mandalay Region, has defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) with a weapon. The soldier, identified as Ko Ye Htet Aung, aged 23, was originally captured and forced into porter service by the military council forces on Sagaing Bridge in November 2023, after which he was conscripted as a new recruit and sent to Infantry Battalion 258.
After being forcibly recruited into the military council’s forces, Ko Ye Htet Aung underwent military training at Infantry Battalion 258. On March 5, 2024, at approximately 9:00 PM, he contacted the Yesagyo Township People’s Defense Force and defected with an MA1 rifle. During his defection, he provided valuable information about conditions within the military council’s forces, including details about the ongoing forced recruitment of new soldiers and other internal matters. The defection represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict, as it demonstrates the continuing erosion of morale within the military council’s ranks.
A representative from the Yesagyo Township People’s Defense Force has encouraged other soldiers within the military council’s forces to confidently make contact and defect to the people’s side, emphasizing that they should cease serving under the military council’s command. The PDF has established dedicated communication channels for potential defectors, providing assurances of safety and security for those who choose to leave the military council’s forces. They have emphasized that defectors will receive full protection and guarantees for their personal security after joining the people’s side. The PDF has made it clear that they maintain open lines of communication for any military personnel seeking to defect, providing a specific contact number for those interested in leaving the military council’s forces and joining the resistance movement.
