On the morning of January 18, 23-year-old Maung Soe Win, a private from the 66th Division, defected to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) B-10 and joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) along with full weapons.

On the night of January 17, he escaped from the camp and arrived at KNDF Battalion-10 on the morning of January 18. The soldier said that during his time in the military, he had no freedom and was not allowed to communicate with his family.

"How can I say this?" They don't even allow me to contact my parents. I'm not saying to return home. Because of that, we don't want to stay. Not just me. The rest of us don't want to live like that. I joined CDM with my own idea. It's not under anyone's pressure," he said.

The private said that he was transferred from Taungoo Southern Command 911 to infantry unit (2) and through it he reached Infantry Battalion (IB) 102 based in Demoso.

It has been 6 months since he arrived in Karenni State, and during his previous three years of service in the military, he was responsible for detonation.

The commander of KNDF Battalion-10 gave a warm welcome to the soldier who joined the CDM along with weapons, and rewarded him 3 million Kyats.

Also onDecember 17, 2022, a soldier from Infantry Battalion (IB) 102 defected to the KNDF B-10 and joined CDM. The KNDF welcomes Military Council soldiers who want to join CDM and invites those who want to join again.