An interview with Private Zaw Htut from the military council who defected to the Karen National Union (KNU)
September 21st, 2022
Private Zaw Htut from No.8 Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) military column under No.44 Division stationed on the hill of Kawwahboe on Falu-Wawlay road section defected to a combined force of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) under the Karen National Union (KNU) and allies on September 9th. The Karen Information Center (KIC) interviewed private Zaw Htut about his experience during the military council’s area clearance operations.
Q: How did you join the army? Which military operations did you participate in?
A: I went to Dawei to work. I joined the army when I met Sayargyi Min Oo at the Danyingone recruit center. I no longer wanted to stay in the army due to tight control. I had got a lot of experience as I participated in the fighting in Arakan State, the west of Magway Region, Hteethakhee and Marnalpalaw. The clash with the Arakan Army (AA) took place for two years.
Q: Can you tell me about the military council’s losses, casualties and fighting experience at Thonehtetkway on the Falu-Wawlay road section?
A: The army does not have a lot of military strength. A platoon has around 20 members. Two members were left in our battalion when I defected to the KNU. Three soldiers were injured. We were ordered to advance to the frontline with rations for one week. We were stationed there for four months. Many soldiers defected. I told you about the situations happening in our battalion, as far as I know.
More than 10 soldiers from our battalion defected. We did not eat food for around one week. Two soldiers had to eat a noodle package all day. We didn’t dare to kindle a fire. We were afraid of drones if smokes come out. A medical assistant sergeant from No.102 Battalion was killed in the fighting in Yattawmu. One from the Battlefield Engineering Unit and the CQ were killed in the fighting here.
Q: Can tell me about the senior military officers’ pressures on their subordinates?
A: I have no companion. It is inconvenient for me to go alone in the forest. They (seniors) put a lot of pressure on us and forced us to advance. We shall die even if we advance at the back. We don’t want to fight as there is no enmity between us. Before the coup, we fought with the AA. Following the Feb 1st coup, the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have emerged. We are soldiers born out of the public. We don’t want to attack the public. We have to do it as the leaders put pressure on us. We are not satisfied with it as we have to do it without our desire. I defect to the KNU as I don’t want to attack.
Q: May I know the ongoing fighting between the military council and the armed organizations which defy the military dictatorship and the situations of the junta soldiers on the battle ground?
A: I think the army will not win. The military has no support and ration supplies. But we get ammunition supplies only. We were forced to carry heavy arms. We had to eat boiled bamboo shoots. Two soldiers get a noodle package. We had to carry 48 grenades, 360 bullets, medium-range bullets, waterproof sheets, blankets and hammocks. First four members arranged to defect. Two colleagues were left in the forest. I don’t know how many members are left. Now there are less than 10 members left. Two members defected with 14 40mm-grenades. According to the organizational setup, our battalion has 120 members. As the military did not send new soldiers, some soldiers fled to this place as well as to Myawaddy. In my view, this occurs due to the one who is hungry for power. As a result, the PDFs emerge.
Q: Can you tell the demonstration by the soldiers from the LIB-102 military column against the tactical operations commander in Phayakone fighting at Kawwahboe gate on the Falu-Wawlay road section.
A: All the soldiers from LIB-102 planned to go home by returning the guns to the tactical operations commander. He requested us not to go home. Actually, we are the auxiliary force of the Tactical Operations Command. However, we did not advance the frontline. LIB-102 has to stay near the commander due to the demonstration. The LIB-102 did not dare to attack Thayettabin hilly camp. Our La-8 also did not dare to advance. The Second-in-Command himself surrendered due to the mounting pressures. We are afraid of landmines, drones and grenades.
Q: How did the military threaten the soldiers in the army not to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and defect to the KNU? May I know your latest situation after defecting to the KNU?
A: The military threatened us that the KNU shall kill the defectors after giving one meal. Those who defect to the KNU shall die. Currently, I am okay. I have no doubt. I am staying here as I have no doubt.
Sent by KIC