Gangaw District Battalion No.12 (People’s Defense Force (PDF)-Gangaw) in Magway Region announced on 19 February, its resignation from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of the National Unity Government (NUG) and its decision to join the Yaw Army (YA).
Gangaw District Battalion No. 12 (PDF-Gangaw) had served in Yaw Region under the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of the NUG. On 19 January, it was handed over to the MOD.
As the Ministry of Defense did not allow the handover of the battalion, the battalion commander, along with all his comrades, submitted their resignations.
Comrade A Thay Lay, spokesperson of PDF-Gangaw, stated, “We chose to serve in the Yaw Army (YA) and submitted our resignations because we want to focus more on the swift liberation of the Yaw region and the self-determination of the Yaw area and its people.”
Comrade A Thay Lay said, “When attacking the military council, we need to adopt an army structure, not one where battalions are scattered across townships throughout the Yaw area. We aim to form a unified army, all under a single command.”
In addition, he also stated that they resigned because they wanted to reveal the history of the Yaw region that had been erased and to fight as an army representing the Yaw region.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) did not accept the handover of the battalion based on its established principles. The PDF-Gangaw respects and recognizes the NUG as a revolutionary government and will cooperate with revolutionary forces, including the People’s Administration Team, People’s Defense Team, and People’s Security Team on the ground.
The spokesperson of PDF-Gangaw added that they will make every effort to ensure the swift liberation of the Yaw area, the liberation of all of Myanmar, and the establishment of federal democracy.
Before PDF-Gangaw No. 12 withdrew from the MOD, Gangaw District Battalion No. 2, Battalion No. 8, and Battalion No. 9 had already withdrawn in 2024. With the withdrawal of Battalion No. 12, four battalions have left the MOD in the Yaw area so far.
All four battalions which withdrew from the MOD continue to serve under the YA.
Sent by Than Lwin Times
