6 Million Kyats Rewarded to Defecting Soldiers
The Myanmar military is facing increasing defections as soldiers abandon their posts to join the revolutionary movement. Recently, two new recruits from the 591st Battalion in Ye Township and one soldier from the 556th Battalion in Tanintharyi were awarded 6 million kyats for defecting.
According to reports, Zaw Htoo and Aung Myint from the 591st Battalion entered the army under forced recruitment but later decided to switch sides. Zaw Htoo, trained at MACS 1 Military Officers and Sergeants Training School, and Aung Myint, who attended Wekli Training School, refused to fight for the military council.
Forced Recruitment Leads to Military Defections
Many new soldiers are forcibly enlisted during military roadblocks, often taken from their villages without consent. In this case, Zaw Htoo and Aung Myint, unwilling to serve under the military regime, chose to defect and join the revolutionary forces instead.
Similarly, a soldier from the 556th Battalion in Tanintharyi also abandoned his post, reinforcing the growing instability within the Myanmar military. The 6 million kyats reward highlights the incentives provided to defectors willing to stand against the military junta.
The Rising Tide of Military Defections
The trend of defections is a significant setback for the military, as more soldiers refuse to serve an oppressive regime. The revolutionary forces continue to gain strength, bolstered by defecting troops who bring critical military knowledge and experience.
As Myanmar moves towards a new chapter, the growing number of military defectors signals a weakening grip of the ruling military council. The shift in loyalty demonstrates the determination of the people and armed resistance groups to fight for a free and democratic future.