The BBC and CNN reported on the 11th that Myanmar’s military regime, which took power through a coup in February 2021, decided to implement a forced conscription system to supplement insufficient troops.
According to the media, Myanmar’s military government announced through state-run media the day before that it would begin a conscription system in accordance with a related law that was enacted in 2010 but has not been implemented so far.
The media pointed out that the military government is pushing for a conscription system that imposes military service obligations on citizens to overcome a serious military shortage in the face of a large-scale offensive by ethnic armed groups.
Those eligible for conscription are 18 to 35 years old for men and 18 to 27 years old for women. In principle, they serve for less than two years.
However, when the country enters a state of emergency, the military service period can be extended up to 5 years.
Myanmar’s military government declared a state of emergency in 2021 and recently extended it for six months.
The military government emphasized the significance of implementing the conscription system, saying, “All citizens have a duty to protect Myanmar’s independent sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Since taking full power three years ago, Myanmar’s military government has carried out large-scale repression and fierce battles against democratic forces and ethnic minority armed forces.
In particular, due to the large-scale offensive by ethnic minority armed forces, the number of casualties among Myanmar government forces has increased rapidly since the fall of last year, and the number of surrendered deserters is also increasing.
It is said that the military government plans to increase troops by implementing a conscription system and turn the situation around, which has been on the defensive due to a series of recent defeats.
Late last year, three ethnic armed rebel groups operating in Shan State took over border checkpoints and roads, the largest trade route with China.
Last month, the Arakan Army (AA) took control of Palettewa, a key point in Chin State, and took control of the Miwa military base.
Myanmar President Min Swe warned that the country would be at risk of being divided if armed rebel activities were not controlled.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.