Irrawaddy-June 6
Myanmar armed resistance groups have been inundated with applications following the junta’s enforcement of conscription, as tens of thousands of young adults reject military service under a brutal regime in favor of uniting against it. Myanmar’s embattled junta enforced the longstanding People’s Military Service Law for the first time on February 10 to bolster its depleted forces. The law mandates at least two years of compulsory service for men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27. In urgent need of troops amid mounting losses to nationwide resistance attacks, the junta has accelerated the conscription process in the past three months, pushing ahead with a third round of forced enlistment for another 5,000 troops. “Min Aung Hlaing gave us a choice: serve the military or embrace the revolution,” said Saw Hein. The 25-year-old resident of Yangon is among the influx of new recruits to the armed resistance since conscription was imposed. Formerly the operator of a modest mobile phone repair shop, Saw Hein has joined the Thaton People’s Defense Force (TPDF) in Mon State where resistance forces are escalating attacks on junta targets. Also seeing a surge in recruits is the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), which is fighting junta troops in Karen and Shan states. Thousands have applied for basic military training with the BPLA since the conscription law was enacted. The group launched its sixth round of training in February and plans more to accommodate the influx of new members. Most have chosen to join the group, while a few sought shelter before fleeing into neighboring countries. The new recruits are now receiving training in weapons, basic firefighting, and military strategy, an officer of the Karen State-based group said. In the west, the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) has also reported over 200 new recruits since conscription began, primarily from Chin State and neighboring Sagaing Region. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/growing-rebellion-myanmars-youth-flock-to-armed-resistance-rejecting-junta-conscription.html
