{"id":9275,"date":"2026-04-28T12:19:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T05:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/?p=9275"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T05:49:54","slug":"more-mdy-pdf-members-surrendering-and-deserting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/2026\/04\/more-mdy-pdf-members-surrendering-and-deserting\/","title":{"rendered":"More MDY-PDF members surrendering and deserting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 Scenes from April 27<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(MoeMaKa), April\u00a028, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More MDY-PDF members surrendering and deserting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The military junta invited some media outlets and showcased a ceremony on April 24, claiming that more than 500 PDF members from Mandalay Region and Sagaing Region surrendered as part of a second batch at the Central Command Headquarters (Mandalay).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, on March 19, a ceremony was also held in which 507 individuals from Sagaing and Mandalay Regions who had surrendered were reportedly returned to their families. Then, just over a month later, the junta announced that another 517 individuals had surrendered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three days after news of this second surrender ceremony was reported, the TRI Strategy unit under the Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG), which operates in Thabeikkyin and Mogok townships, issued a statement. It announced that 35 former members had been blacklisted as deserters and \u201ctraitors to the revolution,\u201d accusing them of offenses such as desertion, theft or misuse of military property, surrendering to the enemy, providing coordinates for airstrikes, and persuading fellow soldiers to surrender. The statement included their photos, names, fathers\u2019 names, and home villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the TRI Strategy announced this on April 27 via its Facebook page, it indirectly appeared to confirm reports that over 500 PDF members from Mandalay and Sagaing Regions had surrendered at the Central Command in recent days. Previously, many had doubted reports claiming that over 1,000 PDF members surrendered during March and April. People suspected those shown at the ceremonies were not genuine PDF members, believing the junta may have staged the events using detainees or forced participants as part of psychological operations and propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the second surrender ceremony, criticism also arose when a domestic media interview showed a supposed female PDF member with long, decorated fingernails, which many saw as unrealistic and indicative of fabrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these doubts were weakened by the TRI Strategy\u2019s statement about the 35 former members. It led to speculation that at least some individuals in the surrender ceremonies may indeed have been genuine PDF personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has also raised questions about how many among the 500+ who surrendered were actually former PDF members. There is further speculation about whether deserters from other MDY-PDF battalions, in addition to those from the TRI Strategy operating in Mogok and Thabeikkyin, were included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toward the end of last year, an incident occurred in which some MDY-PDF leaders were arrested over allegations of failing to return organizational property and funds. This raised questions about whether internal divisions had developed within MDY-PDF. Additionally, MDY-PDF had previously worked closely with the TNLA (Ta\u2019ang National Liberation Army). TNLA\u2019s ceasefire agreement with the junta on October 28, 2025, may have further weakened MDY-PDF. When TNLA handed Mogok back to the military at the end of November, MDY-PDF and the Mogok Strategy units withdrew from the city to avoid contradicting the ceasefire, later repositioning outside and resuming fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following these developments, the junta launched offensives and captured towns along the Mandalay\u2013Mogok road east of the Ayeyarwady River. This left MDY-PDF in a difficult position, making it hard to mount counteroffensives or coordinate effectively with allied armed groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These conditions may have weakened MDY-PDF forces in northern Mandalay Region, potentially contributing to increased desertions and surrenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the situation, there has been criticism that publishing detailed personal information\u2014such as photos, names, fathers\u2019 names, and exact villages\u2014of former members is inappropriate. Many see such disclosures as harmful to morale and counterproductive to recruitment, especially at a time when revolutionary forces are facing military pressure and fluctuating battlefield conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some believe labeling young volunteers\u2014who joined the Spring Revolution of their own will\u2014as deserters and traitors in public could breed resentment within resistance forces and lead to negative consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, after a PDF leader known as Bo Nagar from Yinmabin and Pale areas in Sagaing Region surrendered, the junta was able to launch offensives and establish control in areas where it had previously struggled to operate. Although MDY-PDF has not seen a similar case involving a leader like Bo Nagar, internal disagreements and arrests among leadership may have contributed to the emergence of desertions and surrenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, MDY-PDF, under the NUG Ministry of Defense, has been affected by two key factors: leadership divisions and ceasefire agreements made by allied ethnic armed groups. These factors led to the loss of significant territory in 2024 and 2025. The recent wave of desertions and surrenders represents another serious blow. There is an urgent need for the NUG and allied resistance forces to work together to prevent further deterioration of the situation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 Scenes from April 27 (MoeMaKa), April\u00a028, 2026 More MDY-PDF members surrendering and deserting The military junta invited some media outlets and showcased a ceremony on April 24, claiming that more than 500 PDF members from Mandalay…<\/p>\n

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