The government of Myanmar has made a controversial announcement of mandatory military service for all young men and women amid the ongoing turmoil in the country. This comes as a response to the military facing a series of defeats in battles with ethnic militias and anti-coup fighters in recent months. All men aged 18-35, and women aged 18-27, will now be required to serve at least two years under military command, although no further details have been released at this time.
In the past, a law allowing conscription was introduced in Myanmar in 2010, but it was not enforced until now. Under the legislation, the terms of service can be extended up to a period of five years during a state of emergency, and those ignoring summons to serve can instead be jailed for the same period. The performance of the army in its recent battles with ethnic armed groups has sparked criticisms and doubts among its supporters, and many are concerned about the ramifications of this mandatory military service.
Myanmar endured almost 50 years of rule under oppressive military regimes before the move towards democracy in 2011, but disorder and fighting have plagued the country since the military announced it had taken control on 1 February 2021, displacing more than one million people and resulting in thousands of deaths. The country has been in a state of extended emergency and the recent decision to enforce conscription has deepened tensions amid the ongoing turmoil.
