Rapid Deployment of Untrained Conscripts to Frontlines Raises Concerns in Myanmar
In an alarming development from Myanmar, CJ Platform has reported that young men, recently conscripted under the military council’s directives, are being sent to the frontlines without any form of military training, heightening fears about their safety and the escalating militarization in the region.
Sources from various townships within the Yangon Region, including Thaketa, Insein, South Okkalapa, and North Dagon, have disclosed to CJ Platform that these young conscripts are identified and dispatched for service under a law enforced by the Military Council. This law mandates military service for men and women within specific age brackets, with an expedited process that appears to bypass traditional training phases.
A particularly distressing account from an Insein resident highlighted the abrupt manner in which these conscripts are being gathered: “They claimed they needed us for a medical check-up on March 25th. After a worrying silence of three days, I finally received a call from a conscript outside Shan State, unsure of what lay ahead.”
This process, ostensibly under the guise of a routine medical examination, has resulted in individuals, including those with a history of alcohol or suspected drug use, being thrust into conflict zones. Notably, even middle-aged men are not exempt from this hasty mobilization, as confirmed by military insiders.
The selection criteria, as described by an internal source from CJ Platform, focus superficially on appearance, cleanliness, and education, with those deemed problematic being sent immediately to frontline positions. “It’s a stark reality we’re facing, where the law is being manipulated to justify sending unprepared individuals into harm’s way,” the source stated.
Conversations with a young conscript from North Dagon Township reveal a semblance of training for some, but details remain vague. “My friend, who was also drafted, mentioned undergoing some form of military training. However, specifics on the duration or depth of this training were not disclosed,” a 23-year-old local shared with CJ Platform.
Under the military service law enacted on February 10, a broad age range of men and women are eligible for conscription. While the law allows for deferment based on health standards, it ironically includes those with physical disabilities, drug use suspicion, and high alcohol consumption as potential frontline candidates without training.
Army sources lament the unpreparedness of these recruits, noting the arrival of individuals in poor health or under the influence, highlighting a critical lack of military readiness among the conscripts.
This move follows a statement by General Zaw Min Tun of the Military Council, announcing plans to conscript 5,000 individuals per training call post-Thingyan festival in April, with an annual target of 50,000 conscripts. This rapid conscription strategy, coupled with the glaring oversight in training, underscores the deepening crisis in Myanmar, casting a shadow over the prospects of stability and safety for its citizens.
This report sheds light on the dire situation on the ground in Myanmar, where the Military Council’s conscription practices are contributing to the growing humanitarian and security concerns in the country.