Myanmar’s military government has invoked a ten-year-old conscription law, compelling young men and women to serve at least two years in the military if called upon, signaling the army’s struggle to quell nationwide armed opposition to its rule. This move, announced via state television, represents a significant acknowledgment of the challenges confronting the military’s authority.
Enacted in 2010 under a previous military regime, the People’s Military Service Law mandates the drafting of males aged 18 to 45 and females aged 18 to 35 into the armed forces for two years, extendable to five years during national emergencies.
The activation of this law comes amidst setbacks for the ruling military council, the State Administration Council, which seized power in 2021 after deposing the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The army’s recent struggles include losing territory in northeastern Myanmar to an alliance of armed ethnic groups and facing resistance in other regions, such as Rakhine state.
The military confronts a dual challenge: pro-democracy forces emerging after the coup and well-equipped ethnic minority armed groups fighting for autonomy for decades, often forming alliances with the resistance.
Evading conscription carries penalties of imprisonment and fines, although exemptions are granted to religious orders, and deferments are possible for civil servants and students.
According to Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the military government’s spokesperson, activating the conscription law aims to bolster national defense and deter adversaries. He emphasizes the collective responsibility of all citizens for national security.
The recent surge in resistance activities has stretched the military’s resources thin, exacerbated by casualties, desertions, and defections. Reports suggest over 14,000 troops have defected since the 2021 coup.
Recent accounts from independent and pro-resistance media indicate forced recruitment of young men, even in urban areas like Yangon, fueling concerns and prompting warnings to residents.
The military’s power grab last year triggered widespread protests and civil disobedience, escalating into violent clashes and organized armed resistance, plunging Myanmar into a state of civil unrest and conflict.
