Thaton, 19 August
A lance corporal of the military council defected to the KNU Brigade1 with his gun, Thaton District, reported KNU-affiliated Tabin Shwe Htee column on 17 August.
Lance Coporal Saw Issac from Thaton-based Peinne Taw camp defected to KNLA Brigade 1 along with weapons: an MA1 rifle, five ammunition boxes and 100 bullets.
According to the release, defector Lance Corporal Saw Issac was warmly welcomed by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and awarded 3.8 million kyats.
Saw Isaac, a Karen ethnic, said that he left because the regime troops were torturing and killing villagers, and he did not want to serve any longer.
Saw Isaac, who has been in service for 18 years, has decided to work with the KNLA joint force to fight back against the junta army.
Following the coup, at least 50 members of the military council defected to KNLA Brigade 1, according to KNU-Thaton District.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-Tabin Shwe Htee
Thanlwintimes