Third batch of military conscripts to receive training
Regime Minister of Defense Tin Aung San instructed Burma Army division commanders to begin recruitment for the third batch of conscripts on Monday. He gave the order from the military service law at the Ministry of Defense in Naypyidaw.
‘“We don’t even have time to rest after recruiting for the second batch [of conscripts],” a source close to the military recruitment department told DVB. Maung Maung Aye, the chief of the general staff, demanded that information not be leaked. He warned that action will be taken against anyone who attempts to evade military conscription or training, the source added.
The third batch of military conscripts will begin training at the end of June. The military regime activated its conscription law on Feb. 10. Under the law, men aged 18-35 must serve 2-5 years. Specialists like doctors aged up to 45 must serve for three years.
Rohingya activist calls out National Unity Government
Human rights activist and the director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Yasmin Ullah spoke to DVB. She called on the National Unity Government (NUG) to not only blame the military but also the Arakan Army (AA) for violence in northern Arakan State.
“Who can you protect really in this country? If you cannot utter the word in fear of upsetting an armed group, well then what are you good for as a government?” she asked.
At least 3,500 Rohingya have fled Buthidaung to escape AA attacks since May 17. Over 7,500 homes and at least six mosques were destroyed by arson in Buthidaung, where an estimated 260,000 Rohingya live. The AA ordered the Rohingya to leave Buthidaung after it seized full control of the town on Saturday.
Over 40,000 workers from Burma in Laos
The Burma Country Director for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Jason Tower spoke to DVB. He said that the number of Burma nationals working at Laos’ Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ), located along the Mekong River in Bokeo Province of Laos, has increased since the 2021 military coup.
“Statistics announced by the [SEZ] itself indicate that there’s over 40,000 Myanmar nationals that are living and working inside. That’s larger than the population of Chinese or Lao or Thai that are [working there]. This does indicate that the zone’s labor force is drawn largely from Myanmar,” he said.
Tower added that the reason for the increasing number of workers from Burma in Laos is due to the shutdown of cyber scam operations in Mongla Township and the Wa Self-Administered Division in eastern Shan State at the behest of China. The illicit activity moved into the Laos SEZ prior to Operation 1027.
News by Region
SHAN—The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) released a statement on Tuesday to mark the 66th anniversary of Shan Resistance Day. It stated that the RCSS will cooperate with any group to pursue “peaceful negotiations” in order to establish a federal democracy in Burma.
The RCSS called on countries that witnessed the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) to assist Burma’s peace process. The RCSS signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015.
KACHIN—Six civilians, including two children, were killed and 10 were injured by artillery in Waingmaw Township on Monday. “They were firing all day and night. We don’t know which side was shelling,” said a Waingmaw Township resident.
Kachin News Group reported that the military has been conducting drone attacks and airstrikes against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) during fighting in Waingmaw. The KIA has reportedly captured at least 10 military outposts in Waingmaw since May 18. The KIA launched an offensive on March 7.
KAREN—A pregnant woman and three men were found dead in Kawkareik Township on May 19. They were allegedly killed by Burma Army soldiers from the Phu Chee Mu outpost who had fled after it was captured by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on May 18.
At least 20 from the military outpost were killed and 48 surrendered during fighting between the Burma Army and KNLA-led resistance forces. “The rest of them ran away. They took as many weapons as they could carry and destroyed [their arsenal],” a People’s Defense Force (PDF) member involved in the attack told DVB.
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