"Myanmar's Military Government Activates Mandatory Military Conscription for Youth"

Myanmar's military government has activated a conscription law, requiring young men and women to serve at least two years in the armed forces, as it faces setbacks against nationwide armed resistance. The law, enacted for the first time, applies to males aged 18-45 and females aged 18-35 and comes amid the army's struggle to contain resistance forces and ethnic minority armed groups. Evading conscription is punishable by prison and a fine, and there are reports of forcible recruitment in urban areas. The military government's forces are stretched thin, and the country is in a state of civil war following the 2021 seizure of power.