Six soldiers, including Lance Corporal July Htay from the military council’s Infantry Battalion 19 stationed in Ye Town, Mon State, have defected to the Ye Bilu Battalion with their weapons and ammunition on March 14. According to the leader of Ye Bilu group who confirmed to Yangon Modern News Agency, these soldiers chose to leave their posts in the military council forces and surrender with their weapons, no longer wishing to serve under the military regime.
Lance Corporal July Htay brought with him one MA3 weapon, two ammunition magazines, and 60 rounds of ammunition. The Ye Bilu group awarded him 3 million kyats as a reward for his defection. Accompanying him were Private Saw Pyae Hein, Private Way Yan Htut, Private Khun Aung Naing Soe, Private Kyaw Thet Oo, and Private Way Min Paing. The Ye Bilu group has stated that they will accommodate the defectors according to their wishes, offering opportunities for both military service and civilian roles in other sectors for those interested.
The leader of the Ye Bilu group has extended an invitation to police and military personnel serving within Mon State to join their ranks, noting that direct contact can be made through social media channels. Reports indicate that morale within the military council’s forces continues to decline, with increasing instances of desertion. The group has assured that all defectors are provided with complete security measures. This latest defection represents a significant development in the ongoing situation in Mon State, demonstrating the continuing erosion of the military council’s forces as more personnel choose to abandon their posts and join resistance forces.
