16 Conscripted Myanmar Army Soldiers Surrender to KNDO in KNU Territory

Narinjara, June 21, 2026

Between June 9 and June 15, 16 Myanmar Army soldiers forcibly conscripted into the military regime surrendered to the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) Battalion 3, the KNU-Central announced in a news release on June 21.

The surrenders took place over two separate dates:

June 15, 2026: 11 soldiers from the Pauk Kaung Light Infantry Battalion (53) safely surrendered to KNDO Battalion 3. They are: Maung Ye Min Thu (23), Maung Thein Zaw (41), Aung Thura Thway (21), Maung Aung Thein (30), Kyaw Kyaw Naing (33), Aye Lin Naung (21), Zaw Myo Paing (28), Thein Aung (37), Sithu (28), Tun Tun Oo (35), and Kyaw Kyaw Myo (20).

June 9, 2026: Five soldiers from the Kawthaung Battalion (595) surrendered. They are: Maung Wai Yan (18), Sai Khant (21), Maung Nay Lin Tun (30), Maung Kaung Min Thant (23), and Maung Thein Zaw (18).

According to the KNU statement, all 16 soldiers were forced into service against their will and deployed to frontline areas to battle revolutionary resistance groups.

In light of these events, the KNU is actively urging other forcibly conscripted individuals to lay down their weapons and defect to nearby revolutionary forces.