The Karen National Union (KNU) Myeik-Dawei District has announced that a soldier from Light Infantry Battalion 104 in Longlone Township, Tanintharyi Region, has defected to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) with weapons and ammunition. The defection occurred on August 9, 2023, when Private Min Htet Naing from LIB 104’s Point 1500 base in Longlone Township brought weapons and ammunition to KNLA Brigade 4, Battalion 10.
Private Min Htet Naing brought with him one MA-1 rifle, thirty rounds of ammunition, and one ammunition magazine. This defection represents another example of declining morale and loss of confidence within the military council’s forces. Similarly, in Thaung Tha Township, Mandalay Region, the People’s Defense Force (PDF) successfully captured Private Ye Naing Htun from Infantry Battalion 14, as announced by the Thaung Tha Township PDF.
The PDF forces in Thaung Tha Township apprehended Private Ye Naing Htun on August 8 at a location along a road within the township. However, the Thaung Tha Township PDF has not yet disclosed detailed information about what actions have been taken regarding the captured soldier. These incidents demonstrate the continuing pattern of demoralization and defections among military council troops, highlighting the growing instability within their ranks and the increasing challenges faced by the military council in maintaining control over its forces.
