The initial group of soldiers trained under Myanmar's controversial military conscription law have completed their training and are reportedly being deployed to conflict zones in Myanmar's remote border regions, according to family members on Tuesday.

This deployment marks a significant step in the junta's efforts to bolster its forces amidst substantial losses against various ethnic armies and rebel groups since seizing power in 2021. The People’s Military Service Law, enacted in February, mandates military service for men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27.

The implementation of this law has led to a series of repercussions, including targeted assassinations of law enforcement officials enforcing conscription, prompting many draft evaders to seek refuge in rebel-controlled areas and abroad.

Approximately 9,000 new recruits underwent training in April and May, with a third round commencing in late May and trainees arriving at their designated training facilities by June 22. The first cohort completed their three-month training on June 28 and have since been deployed to conflict zones in Rakhine and Kayin states, as well as the Sagaing region, beginning in early July.

While exact numbers have not been disclosed by the junta, a mid-April report from the Burmese Affairs and Conflict Study estimated that nearly 5,000 young people from across Myanmar were trained in the initial group.

"My husband informed me that orders from Naypyidaw directed the deployment of new recruits from training batch No. 1 to conflict-affected areas, including Rakhine state," said Nwe Nyein, the wife of a recruit from Ayeyarwady region. "Despite initial assurances that new recruits under the People’s Military Service Law would not be sent to the frontlines, I am concerned because my husband was deployed to remote border regions."

Nwe Nyein expressed concern that the second group of recruits, expected to complete training on August 2, may also face frontline deployment.

Reports from Yangon indicate injuries among recruits in battles in northern Shan state, with residents claiming fatalities among those deployed without proper medical care or compensation for their families.

Min Lwin Oo of the Democracy Movement Strike Committee-Dawei criticized the junta for using inadequately trained recruits as "human shields" in southern Myanmar's Tanintharyi region.

Former Captain Kaung Thu Win, now part of the Civilian Disobedience Movement, highlighted the junta's urgent need for more soldiers, expecting that nearly all new recruits will be deployed to combat zones.

Political commentator Than Soe Naing criticized the junta's decision, questioning the morale and effectiveness of deploying inexperienced recruits amid escalating casualties.

The junta has not officially confirmed the deployment details, but reports suggest discrepancies between mandated service periods and unofficial claims of extended service obligations. Despite denials by junta officials, concerns persist regarding the treatment and deployment of newly conscripted soldiers.

Rephrased from RFA

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