Myanmar’s junta has decreed mandatory military service for all young men and women as it tries to curb armed rebel forces pushing for more autonomy across the country.
All men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 are required to serve for up to two years, whereas specialists such as doctors aged up to 45 must serve for three years.
As per the report, the service can be extended for a total of five years as the state of emergency remains in effect.
Myanmar has been unstable since the military overthrew an elected government in a 2021 coup.
Since October, the Tatmadaw, as the military is known, has lost people while battling a coordinated onslaught by three ethnic minority rebel groups, as well as allied pro-democracy fighters who have taken up arms against the junta.
It is the most significant challenge the military has faced since assuming power in the former British colony in 1962.
Zaw Min Tun, Junta spokesman stated, “The duty to safeguard and defend the nation extends beyond just the soldiers but to all citizens. So I want to tell everyone to proudly follow this people’s military service law”.
“A law mandating conscription was passed in 2010 but it has not been enforced until now. Those who fail to comply with the draft face jail for up to five years”, the legislation states.
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