Myanmar Activates Conscription Measure Amid Growing Resistance
The conscription measure was activated on Saturday under the order of the chairman of Myanmar’s ruling military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. This surprise move underscores the strain the military faces due to mounting pressure from armed pro-democracy resistance forces, which emerged following the army’s seizure of power from the elected government of Aung […]
The conscription measure was activated on Saturday under the order of the chairman of Myanmar's ruling military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. This surprise move underscores the strain the military faces due to mounting pressure from armed pro-democracy resistance forces, which emerged following the army's seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Military Strength and Losses
- Myanmar's military strength has been a subject of estimation, with figures ranging from 150,000 to 400,000 personnel according to the CIA World Factbook.
- The U.S. Institute of Peace suggests that around 21,000 service personnel have been lost through casualties, desertions, and defections since the military takeover, leaving an effective force of approximately 150,000.
Conscription Details
- The conscription law targets men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27, who can be drafted for two years.
- Certain professional categories like medical doctors and engineers have a higher age limit of 45 for men and 35 for women, with a three-year term of service.
Activation and Training
- The army's information office announced that 5,000 people per month will undergo training as part of the conscription measure, with women being called up starting from the fifth batch.
- Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun stated that around 14 million individuals, comprising 6.3 million men and 7.7 million women, are eligible for military service in Myanmar.
Reactions and Consequences
- The activation of the conscription law has triggered fear, anxiety, and defiance among young people and their families, leading some to contemplate fleeing the country or joining resistance groups.
- Evading conscription carries penalties of three to five years in prison and fines, with exemptions for members of religious orders and provisions for temporary deferments for civil servants and students.
- The military government has also enforced a Reserve Forces Law, extending the service period for army veterans by five years after resignation or retirement.
Political Response
- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG), representing the resistance, declared the conscription law unlawful, urging the public to escalate their involvement in the revolution.
- The NUG denounced the military's actions, characterizing them as desperate attempts to compel civilians into a self-destructive conflict against their own people.
The activation of conscription marks a significant development in Myanmar's political landscape, reflecting the escalating tensions between the military junta and pro-democracy forces. As the resistance persists, the country remains mired in a complex struggle for democracy and freedom.
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