According to a statement from Battalion 901 of the Naypyidaw Regional Military Command, two soldiers from the military council’s forces have defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) Naypyidaw Regional Command with weapons and ammunition. The defecting soldiers, identified as Private Aung Zeyar Tun and Thawta Min Htet from Infantry Battalion 1 under Military Division 66, contacted and surrendered to Battalion 901 of the PDF Naypyidaw Regional Command on March 2.
The two soldiers were originally conscripted into military service during the military council’s second recruitment drive under their military service law. When they defected, they brought with them one MA3 rifle, one magazine, one hand grenade, and 24 rounds of 5.56mm (Burma) ammunition. Reports indicate that there has been a continuous stream of soldiers fleeing from the military council’s forces due to forced conscription and oppressive conditions within the military.
According to the statement from the Naypyidaw Regional Military Command, the defecting soldiers are being provided with security protection and necessary assistance. The statement also indicated that any service members within the military council’s forces who wish to join the people’s side can contact the People’s Defense Force, and they will be provided with full security guarantees. This incident represents another example of growing dissent within the military council’s ranks as more soldiers choose to abandon their posts and join the resistance movement.
