YANGON DIVISION – It was reported that 17 military soldiers from the navy headquarters in Thanlyin Township deserted with their weapons, and those who were on leave also could not be contacted, meaning almost 50 Navy soldiers are on the run, according to a source in the Navy.
Seventeen soldiers from the Thanlyin Naval Headquarters took some weapons and ran away, as reported on November 24 at around 1:00 p.m. Moreover, twenty-nine soldiers, including a Navy officer who had been on leave, did not return to the unit.
“There are 29 officers and soldiers who were on leave and have not returned to the army. After hearing about seventeen defected soldiers, those on leave did not return,” said an internal source close to the Navy headquarters.
29 officers and soldiers from the naval headquarters have been on leave since October and have not returned, bringing the total number of fugitives to 46, including the 17 who defected on November 24.
Since the soldiers on leave did not return, no one is allowed for leave even for emergency reasons in the army, stated the informer.
“Now, even if it’s an emergency, no permission is given to leave the headquarters. Previously, those who do not live at the apartments in the headquarters could return home but now they can’t go out either. Even the officers are being checked,” he said.
It is reported that the two officers who permitted leaves of the defected soldiers are being questioned and investigated. The navy soldiers are reportedly running away like this as they are sent to the frontlines in Rakhine State.