Myanmar's military junta has been able to strengthen its position in the civil war thanks to the forced conscription introduced in 2024. This was reported by the BBC, according to UNN.
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According to the publication, rebel groups that were actively advancing and seizing territories two years ago are now increasingly moving to the defensive. Commanders of the People's Defense Forces admit that the main reason for the change in the situation was the emergence of virtually unlimited human resources for the army after the start of the mobilization of men.
Conscripts are sent to the front by force
The BBC spoke with four young men aged 19 to 25 who said they were forcibly mobilized by the military. According to them, they were detained right on the streets, after which they were sent for training and subsequently to the front lines.
Before we realized what was happening, we were immediately sent to the front line
Another noted that the conscripts performed the hardest work and had almost no rest. Eventually, all four managed to escape and join the rebels.
Rebels complain about lack of people and weapons
Ko Kaung, a battalion commander of the People's Defense Forces, stated that forced conscription has become a serious problem for the rebels. According to him, the military gained the ability to constantly replenish losses, while the resistance forces face a shortage of fighters, funding, and weaponry.
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In addition to human resources, the junta's advantage is ensured by aviation, drones, and support from Russia. Rebels also report a lack of ammunition and supply difficulties due to restrictions imposed by China on certain armed groups.
The war has been going on for over five years
The civil war in Myanmar began after the 2021 military coup, when the army ousted the democratically elected government and arrested its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, thousands of people have died in the country, and millions have been forced to leave their homes.
Despite the difficult situation at the front, many resistance fighters state that they do not intend to lay down their arms.
I will return to the fight. One way or another, I will fight until the very end