Regime media reported graduation ceremonies at two military training schools in Lawksawk (Yaksawk) Township, located 42 miles (67 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi, for the sixth intake of military conscripts on Friday. The seventh intake is currently undergoing training and no date has been announced for the graduation ceremony.
“The military leadership is desperately seeking manpower,” a military source told DVB on condition of anonymity. “They’re basically sending these young people to their deaths.”
The source added that graduates will be sent to the frontlines in Shan and Karenni states, where fighting between the military and Karenni resistance groups has been ongoing since the nationwide uprising began after the 2021 coup.
The Karenni resistance continues its efforts to bring the state capital Loikaw under its administration. But a military counter-offensive in June halted their offensive launched on Nov. 11, 2023. Up to 75 percent of Karenni State is under resistance control and is administered by a provisional government known as the Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC).
Other military training graduates will be sent to Kachin and Arakan states, where fighting between pro-regime forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), as well as the Arakan Army (AA), has intensified over the last 12 months.
The AA claimed that it took full control of Gwa Township in southern Arakan, located 250 miles (402 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, on Sunday. This leaves only three townships left under regime control in Arakan – after the AA launched its offensive against the military on Nov. 13, 2023 – the capital Sittwe, the vital port town of Kyaukphyu, and the island of Munaung.
The AA seized control of the Western Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in central Arakan on Dec. 20. It now has 15 townships under its control. This includes Arakan’s Ann, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Ramree, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Thandwe, Taungup, Maungdaw, Gwa and southern Chinland’s Paletwa.
The KIA has seized all of northeastern Kachin State along the border of China, which was formerly known as Kachin Special Region 1. It has been fighting for control of Bhamo, located 120 miles (193 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, since Dec. 4.
The KIA captured a pro-regime militia camp with over 100 military personnel stationed inside in Khaunglanhpu Township of Putao District, 214 miles (344 km) north of Myitkyina, on Dec. 15.
The eighth intake of military conscripts sent to training schools across the country – following widespread reports of forced conscription – took place on Dec. 22. At least 30 men under age 30 were taken by military officers in Seikkyun village of Thaton Township, 45 miles (72 km) north of the Mon State capital Mawlamyine, on Dec. 20-21.
“The military arrested most young people on their way to entertainment venues at night,” a resistance member in Mon State told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
In Kyonpyaw Township, 52 miles (83 km) northeast of the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein, six men out of 20 being transported to Yangon for military training escaped by jumping out of the moving vehicle, according to residents.
The military conscription law was enacted on Feb. 10. It requires men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve at least two years in the military.
Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said in February that the military expected 5,000 new conscripts from each intake, which started in April after the Thingyan festival.
The Burma Affairs and Conflict Studies (BACS) stated that over 21,000 conscripts from intakes 1-6 have received training at 23 military schools nationwide.
