A spokesperson from the Ye Bilu Battalion has confirmed the capture of three new military recruits who fled from Military Operations Command 19 based in Ye Town, Mon State. The deserters had initially escaped from their unit on July 6 and were captured after spending several days wandering around Ye Town before their arrest.
Among those captured were Maung Way Yan Aung and Pyae Phone San from East Sane village in Kalay Township, who were graduates of the military training batch 7, and Aung Soe Min from Thayar Aye ward in Mawlamyine, who graduated from military training batch 6. All three individuals were reportedly forcibly recruited as porters by the military council before being conscripted into service.
According to the Ye Bilu Battalion official, the deserters were detained after entering the battalion’s territory rather than directly surrendering to the resistance forces. They were not carrying weapons at the time of their capture. Since they are not locals of the area, they will be treated as prisoners of war. The battalion has reported the matter to their superior command for further instructions on how to proceed with the captured soldiers.
The Ye Bilu Battalion has extended an invitation to remaining new recruits within the military council forces to join the revolutionary forces as soon as possible. They have specifically called on those who were forcibly conscripted by the military council to defect to the revolution when opportunities arise. Revolutionary forces have observed continuing demoralization within the military council’s ranks, with frequent instances of new recruits deserting their posts.
