Myanmar's military junta announces mandatory conscription

(AFP) - Myanmar's military junta, which took power in a coup in February 2021, is increasingly facing armed resistance and announced mandatory conscription.

Last October, an alliance of ethnic rebel groups and pro-democracy activists launched a major offensive across the country. In response, the junta recently announced mandatory conscription for all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged between 18 and 27. As a result, thousands of young people are now fleeing the country to avoid being called up. Most are heading to neighbouring Thailand, which is bracing for an influx of refugees.