Four BGF members reportedly defect to Arakan Army

By Admin 07 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 March 2023, Maungdaw

Four members of the Myanmar regime’s Border Guard Force (BGF) in Maungdaw, Arakan State, reportedly defected to the Arakan Army (AA) on March 6.

The deserters are alleged to be from BGF Battalion No. 9 based in Myinlut town, part of Maungdaw Township.

“Four BGF members along with their weapons fled to the Mayu mountain range on the morning of March 6. I don’t know their rank or name. They [the four BGF members] fled to the AA camp in the Mayu mountain range,” said a reliable source.

Officials from the BGF battalion and the police are searching for the four defectors in the vicinity of Myinlut Village, the source added.

“Police have been searching for four BGF members since they fled. Security personnel have been deployed near Myitlut Village and the police are patrolling all night. I don’t know where the four BGF members fled to,” the source said.

DMG continues to investigate the names and positions of the four BGF members turned alleged deserters. DMG also continues to attempt to contact AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha regarding the matter.

DMG phoned Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment, but he could not be reached.

BGF Battalion 9 was established in Myinlut town in late 2021. Such defections are often reported at the BGF battalions in Maungdaw Township, according to a community elder.

“The deserters are new police trainees. New trainees from mainland Myanmar often defect to the AA. Defections are frequently reported at BGF outposts in Maungdaw,” the community elder explained.

It has been over three months since the military and AA observed an informal ceasefire in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State, in late November.