Three new military recruits from the military council forces operating in Pauk and Kamma townships of Magway Region have defected to the Ayar Daung group of the Pakokku District People’s Defense Force (PDF). The defectors, who were part of Light Infantry Battalion 257, arrived without weapons on June 6 while their unit was conducting operations in the area. According to Ko Shein, a representative from the Ayar Daung group, the defectors were from training batches 7 and 8 of the military recruitment program.
The three defectors, originally from Thaungdwin Gyi and Meiktila townships, had received their military training at the Bah Htoo base. While they did not bring any weapons with them, each carried a mobile phone. The Ayar Daung group has confirmed that they will escort these defectors to liberated territory. The group has also extended an invitation to remaining servicemen, police officers, soldiers, and Pyu Saw Htee members within the military council’s forces to gain proper perspective and seek refuge with the public side of the conflict.
The Ayar Daung group has promised appropriate rewards for those who defect with weapons and ammunition. They have established opportunities for those seeking to escape the military council’s oppression to return to civilian life, ensuring full security measures for those who choose to join the public’s cause. Resistance forces analyze that these defections indicate declining morale within the military council’s ranks. The group continues to maintain their commitment to protecting and supporting those who choose to leave the military council’s forces and join the civilian resistance movement.
