10,864 Defectors, Surrenders and POWs Recorded Between 2023 and August 2026

According to data compiled by People’s Goal, a total of 10,864 soldiers, police officers, and militia members have left Myanmar’s military council-aligned forces through defection, surrender, or capture as prisoners of war (POWs) between 2023 and August 2026.

The figures include:

• 9,214 soldiers

• 870 police officers

• 780 militia members

Of the total:

• 4,252 individuals defected from military council-aligned forces.

• 1,207 individuals surrendered to resistance organizations.

• 5,405 individuals were captured as prisoners of war (POWs).

Soldiers account for the largest share of personnel losses, with 3,607 defections, 1,097 surrenders, and 4,510 POWsrecorded during the reporting period. Police officers and militia members also represent a significant portion of the overall manpower decline, with 369 police officers and 276 militia members defecting, while 491 police officers and 404 militia members were documented as POWs.

The continued rise in the number of defectors, surrenders, and prisoners of war highlights the ongoing depletion of military council-affiliated forces amid Myanmar’s protracted conflict. These figures also reflect the continuing challenges faced by the military council in sustaining manpower and maintaining morale among its ranks.

Disclaimer: The figures presented are compiled from publicly available information and secondary data sources, including open-source reporting, media coverage, and publicly documented announcements. Due to the limitations of conflict-related reporting and verification challenges, the actual numbers on the ground may differ from the figures presented above.