They were joined by hundreds of other soldiers .
On 16 March the F - FDTL 's commander , Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak , dismissed 594 soldiers , which was nearly half of the force .
They were joined by hundreds of other soldiers and on 16 March the F - FDTL 's commander , Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak , dismissed 594 soldiers , which was nearly half of the force .