Myanmar’s military junta recently announced the enforcement of mandatory military service for all young men and women in the country, as it grapples with armed rebel forces seeking greater autonomy in various regions. This decision comes amid the junta’s struggle to suppress widespread opposition and uprisings against its rule.
According to state media reports, all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 are required to serve for a period of up to two years. Specialists such as doctors, aged up to 45, must serve for three years. The service duration can be extended to five years, especially during the ongoing state of emergency. The junta’s information team stated, “issued the notification of the effectiveness of People’s Military Service Law starting from 10 February 2024.”
This move towards mandatory military service is a significant shift for Myanmar, as a law requiring conscription was introduced in 2010 but has not been enforced until now. Those failing to comply with the draft could face imprisonment for up to five years, as per existing legislation.
Myanmar has experienced a state of turmoil since the military seized power in a coup in 2021, toppling the elected government and leading to mass protests that were met with a brutal crackdown. As the junta struggles to maintain control, it faces ongoing armed resistance from various rebel groups seeking autonomy.
Over the past few months, the Tatmadaw, as the military is known, has encountered personnel losses while battling a coordinated offensive by an alliance of three ethnic minority insurgent groups. Pro-democracy fighters, aligned with these groups and opposing the junta, have taken up arms in resistance. The success of these rebels, coupled with the military’s inability to mount an effective counterattack, has reportedly lowered morale among lower- and mid-level officers, as stated by anonymous military sources.
Experts have suggested that the Tatmadaw is finding it challenging to recruit new soldiers, leading to the forced enlistment of non-combat personnel on the frontlines. The declaration of mandatory military service for a broad age group indicates the junta’s desperation to bolster its forces amid ongoing internal conflict.
The decision to enforce conscription raises concerns about human rights violations and the potential for increased violence in Myanmar. The country has witnessed a severe crackdown on dissent since the coup, resulting in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, according to local monitoring groups.
The situation in Rafah, Gaza, where Israeli forces have intensified their attacks, further complicates the state of unrest. The continuous aggression has led to significant casualties among Palestinian civilians, adding to the urgency for international intervention to address the escalating conflict.
Juxtaposed against this backdrop, the junta’s move to impose mandatory military service serves as a critical development in Myanmar’s ongoing struggle for stability and control. The decision is likely to face condemnation from human rights organizations and calls for international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in the country.
As Myanmar navigates through this turbulent period, the international community faces increased pressure to respond effectively, both in addressing the internal conflicts and urging the junta to respect human rights and democratic principles. The enforcement of mandatory military service further underscores the complex challenges Myanmar faces as it grapples with internal dissent and regional autonomy movements.
