Junta recruits over 140,000 under conscription law, more than 70% forcibly: MDSI

By Admin 07 Nov 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 November 2026, Yangon

The military junta has recruited more than 140,000 people under its conscription programme since enforcing the Military Service Law, with more than 70 percent reportedly forced into service, according to a report released on November 6 by the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI).

Military service training has now reached Batch 29. According to the report, 27 batches had completed military training, with each batch averaging around 4,800 recruits.

The report said many recruits were forcibly enlisted through press-ganging and other coercive methods before being deployed to front-line combat operations as infantry personnel.

More than 80 operational combat units are reportedly relying on conscripts for front-line fighting, while only a small number of educated recruits and members of military families are assigned to support units.

MDSI also reported that the junta uses various methods to arrest and recruit young people each month to meet conscription quotas, with more than 70 percent of recruits forcibly enlisted.

"In Yangon, the military collaborates with criminal gangs to arrest young factory workers returning from work. In other instances, they fabricate drug accusations to make arrests," said a Yangon resident.

MDSI also reported that young people deported from abroad, travellers and daily commuters are frequently arrested and sent to military training camps.

Junta officers, security forces and administrative authorities are also reportedly involved in human trafficking practices, including conscription substitution schemes, extortion and illegal human-smuggling operations.

Conscripts deployed to the front lines are often used as human shields. Those who attempt to escape face severe beatings, injuries or death.

The report also said that troops killed in action are frequently classified as deserters by the military junta.

Conscripts who escaped and later defected to the Arakan Army reported that recruits who attempted to flee training camps were tied up, beaten and forced to continue training in leg irons.

"When we tried to escape, we were recaptured. They tied our hands behind our backs, beat us and dragged us back to the training ground. We were beaten again, placed in leg irons and shackles, and forced to continue training," said Private Aung Naing Kyaw.

Private Aung Naing Kyaw, a motorcycle taxi driver from Mandalay, was forcibly conscripted by the junta in May 2026.

After completing four months of military training, he was deployed to the front lines in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, under Light Infantry Battalion No. 218, which operates under Light Infantry Division No. 11. He subsequently defected to the Arakan Army.

The military junta continues to enforce the Military Service Law as part of efforts to rebuild its troop strength.

Junta forces are increasingly relying on conscripts as frontline combat troops in offensives nationwide, including in Arakan, Chin and Kachin states, and Magway, Bago, Ayeyarwady and Sagaing regions.

Meanwhile, according to figures released by People's Goal, 73 junta personnel defected, surrendered or were captured as prisoners of war across the country during October alone.