Irrawaddy-Feb 8
The junta is going back to school. It started training professors and students from four universities in Pathein, the capital of Ayeyarwady Region, to be soldiers this week.
In total, 116 professors and students from three universities and a college – Pathein University, Technological University, Computer University, and Education College – attended the first day of military training at Pathein University. It is the first military training session for professors and students in Ayeyarwady Region, the information team for resistance group Pathein Special Taskforce told The Irrawaddy. It said it will take 15 to 45 days to complete the training. Pro-military Telegram channels say they are attending the course voluntarily, but Pathein Special Taskforce said this was false. The professors and students do not want military training, it said. The military has been trying to rebuild its depleted ground force after suffering major defeats against resistance forces since late last year. It lost major towns and bases across the country after joint resistance forces launched major offensives in northern Shan, Rakhine, Karenni (Kayah) and Chin states. The regime has been sustaining heavy casualties amid growing resistance not only from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups but from a new widespread armed movement launched by young civilians. The regime has also been recruiting, training and arming pro-military militia groups, widely known as Pyu Saw Htee, to bolster its manpower. In December 2021, the military junta began providing military training to the children of soldiers. Young teens were reportedly taught discipline, how to march and how to handle small arms and light weapons. In January 2022, wives of its mid-ranking officers were forced to undergo military training. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmars-depleted-military-takes-aim-at-professors-students-to-beef-up.html
