Myanmar’s military has experienced significant battlefield setbacks over the past three months. As a result, they announced the enforcement of a 2010 conscription law that requires young men and women to serve at least two years in the military.
The junta spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw, revealed on state broadcaster MRTV that the People’s Military Service Law would be applied immediately. The law allows for the drafting of men aged 18-45 and women aged 18-35 into the armed forces for a period of two years, extendable to five years during national emergencies.
The statement also outlined the consequences for evading conscription, which include three to five years in prison and a fine. The Ministry of Defense will release further guidelines for this law.
These developments come at a challenging time for the military junta, which seized power in a coup over three years ago. The recent offensives by ethnic resistance groups in different parts of the country have weakened the junta’s control and revealed the struggles of the military regime.
In response, the junta hopes that enforcing the conscription law will project strength and deter further resistance against its rule. However, this move also shows the desperation of the military administration to reverse its losses and maintain control.
While the impact of this conscription order is uncertain, it has the potential to further destabilize the military’s position and undermine any remaining support from the population.