Two junta soldiers from 55th Brigade, based in Thandaung Village in Paletwa Township, Chin State surrendered to the Chinland Defence Force (CDF-Daai) on February 2 according to CDF-Dai.

"These two soldiers knew our troops were active [in the area] and contacted us through villagers," said a CDF-Daai spokesperson.

They were named as Private Pho Phyu (No. 543280) and Private Ye Yint Thu (No. 125892), of light infantry battalion (3), under 55th Brigade. They said that they no longer wanted to serve in the military and that they had participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) on January 18 and had joined a local militia group.

They also said that there are many junta soldiers who want to leave the army, but it is hard because they dare not discuss this with their colleagues due to a lack trust between them and they also have no contacts who can help them flee the army.

The CDF-Daai welcomed the two defecting soldiers and took them to a safe area.

Local militia groups also invited more soldiers to defect from the military and join up with the civilians.

CDF-Daai was founded on September 20, 2022 with the aim of removing the dictatorship and developing a federal democratic system, to safeguard people in the Daai region. They pledged to collaborate in political and defense matters with the National Union Government (NUG), the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and Chinland Defence Forces.