Khun Bedu, the Vice Chairman of the Karenni IEC and Head of the Defection Committee has again called for the Junta’s troops to side with the people, and reject the coup regime.
The Vice -chairman of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) Khun Bedu declared, " I urge both Military Council troops and civil servants to join the Civil Disobedience Movement and defect for a better future. Tatmadaw (the Military Council) troops are only safeguarding Min Aung Hlaing's interests, and losing public support. Continued conflict risks more civilian and military casualties, further degrading our country.”
Until October, more than 150 soldiers from the Military Council had reached out and sought refuge in the well-established CDM department of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF). This connection has endured for over two years since the department's inception.
On December 11th, IEC declared its commitment to collaborate with any organization essential for lawful negotiations with the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NCC).
U Nay Myo Zin, the director of the Defection Committee and a former Tatmadaw official, emphasizes that soldiers, born from the people, must swiftly collaborate with the committee to demonstrate their loyalty to the public and work towards protecting the people.
"Being minions for Min Aung Hlaing means protecting only him and a few, not the people and the Union. If you see yourselves as the people's soldiers, in line with your daily oath, defecting to the people's side is the most beneficial choice—saving both your life and dignity”, he told the Kantarawaddy Times.
In IEC's statement, defection is characterized as Tatmadaw personnel breaking away from the directives of the coup Junta and aligning with the people's governing side through any means.
IEC stressed that defected individuals must adhere to the ethical standards observed by all resistance factions in Karenni State, aligning with international standards. This includes refraining from targeting civilians, ensuring the safety of prisoners of war, and avoiding the use of prohibited weapons.
Karenni resistance forces often offer incentives to individuals who voluntarily defect and take responsibility for their own safety.
