Three new military servicemen stationed with the military council forces in Seikphyu Township, Magway Region, have defected to the revolution with their weapons and ammunition, as confirmed by Comrade Aung Maung, the person in charge of Southern YSO ODF. These defections occurred during April 2024, with the soldiers leaving on separate dates. The sequence of defections demonstrates a significant shift in loyalty among some military personnel.
The first defector was Private Chit San Ko from Infantry Battalion 257 in Seikphyu, who brought an MA 1 rifle when he defected on April 24. The following day, on April 25, Private Myint Sein from Infantry Battalion 256 arrived with 500 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. Finally, on April 26, Private Si Thu Kyaw from Infantry Battalion 258 defected with two hand grenades, three magazines of 5.55mm ammunition, and 102 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. Each defection represented a significant loss of military resources for the council forces and a corresponding gain for the resistance movement.
The revolutionary forces rewarded the defecting soldiers for their actions. The soldier who brought a weapon received 350,000 kyats, while the two who brought ammunition were given 100,000 kyats each. Additionally, all defectors were safely transported to their chosen locations where they wished to resettle. These defections serve as an indication of declining morale and trust within the military council’s forces, as soldiers continue to choose to align themselves with the resistance movement rather than continue serving under the military council. The pattern of defections, along with the weapons and ammunition brought by the soldiers, represents a continuing erosion of the military council’s fighting capacity and demonstrates the growing strength of the revolutionary forces in the region.
