At least 30 members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), as well as another 30 members of unnamed resistance forces, surrendered to the military in Sagaing Region’s Shwebo, Monywa and Chaung-U townships over the past two weeks.
A source close to the PDF under National Unity Government (NUG) command told DVB that the 60 former resistance members handed over their weapons to the regime, adding that they had “friction” with the NUG Shwebo District battalions, without elaborating further.
Neither the regime nor the NUG Ministry of Defence have confirmed the alleged surrender of the 60 resistance members. Chaung-U and Shwebo, located 16-58 miles (25-93 km) south and northeast of the region’s capital Monywa, have been partially under NUG control and administration since it was seized by the PDF in 2022.
At least two residents at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp were killed during airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Chaung-U on Oct. 2.
The PDF has warned Chaung-U residents to be alert for further airstrikes due to possible intelligence leaks by Wai Zin Aung, the commander of the NUG Monywa District PDF Battalion 15, who reportedly surrendered to the military on Sept. 30.
Independent media reported that Wai Zin Aung stole 15 million MMK ($3,300 USD) in funds and a firearm from his battalion. Neither the regime nor the NUG have confirmed his surrender.
The regime’s Ministry of Information (MOI) reported that 23 resistance members, allegedly belonging to the PDF, surrendered at a ceremony held at the regime’s Southern Regional Military Command (RMC) in Bago Region’s Taungoo Township on Sept. 25.
A “first-ever mass defection” from the PDF included a total of 453 men and 53 women, who surrendered to the Central RMC in Mandalay on March 19. This was dismissed by the PDF at the time as regime “propaganda.”
The NUG reported on Sept. 26 that 20,383 military personnel have been killed in fighting with resistance forces and around 20,000 soldiers have defected from the Myanmar military from July 2024 to August 2026.
