Two young men who were forcefully conscripted into the military under the military council’s People’s Military Service Law in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, have defected to the Sagaing People’s Defense Force (PDF) with two firearms. The incident occurred on July 5, 2023, when these individuals, who had been subjected to forced conscription by the military council, made contact with the Sagaing PDF and successfully defected to their side.
According to a responsible official from the Sagaing People’s Defense Force, the two newly defected soldiers are being well-cared for with dignity and will receive necessary support for their future well-being. The official also stated that other individuals who are currently being forced to serve in the military council’s forces are welcome to contact and defect to the Sagaing PDF with confidence. The PDF has committed to ensuring that all defectors will be treated with dignity and provided support to continue their lives as civilians.
The military council has been continuously implementing forced conscription and military training of young people under their People’s Military Service Law to bolster their forces. Many young people who have been forcefully conscripted are trapped within the military against their will, with some seeking opportunities to escape. This instance of defection with weapons is considered by analysts to be indicative of declining morale within the military council’s forces. The treatment of these defectors by the PDF demonstrates their commitment to protecting civilians who have been forced into military service by the junta, while maintaining their stance against the military council’s oppressive actions.
