Two junta soldiers surrendered along with their weapons and ammunition to the Chinland Defence Force-Hakha (CDF - Hakha), on 20 February.

The two soldiers, from junta Infantry Battalion 269 based in Chin State’s Thantalang Township, surrendered with two assault rifles, 674 rounds of rifle ammunition, nine magazines, four grenades, 60 mm mortar bombs and other military equipment.

"When the two soldiers showed up to join us, we sent them to a safe location. Due to security concerns, we did not let them into our camp, so we escorted them directly to the liberated area. Some Junta soldiers continue to contact us, expressing a desire to join the CDM [civil disobedience movement] and fight alongside the revolutionary soldiers. However, due to security concerns, we have yet to accept them”, a representative of CDH - Hakha, said to Mizzima.

The representative said that the two defecting junta soldiers were also rewarded with a payment of 3 million kyats each, before being taken to liberated areas.

Already, in the first 50 days of 2023, three junta soldiers have surrendered to CDF-Hakha. Since the military coup in February 2021 about 40 junta soldiers have surrendered to CDF-Hakha.