The military has arrested Ko Thant Tun Aung, a married father, from his home in Mahaaungmyay Township, Mandalay Region, claiming he was selected for military service. On July 1st at 7:35 AM, military personnel and ward administrators entered his residence opposite the ward administration office on 36th Street between 70th and 71st Streets in Aungchantha Ward, forcibly taking the 29-year-old man, also known as Tatee. The ward administration team involved in the arrest included Hundred Houses Head Thein Htay from Daihtaw Ward, Ten Houses Head U Sa O from Kanla Ward, and Hundred Houses Head Nyunt Yi from Section 2 Ward.
Similarly, on the evening of June 30th in Myaungmya City, Ayeyarwady Region, Ward 12 Administrator Win Tint led operations to forcibly recruit young people for military service by entering their homes. They arrested Ko Thaw Zin despite his poor health condition and forcibly conscripted him as a new soldier. Local residents reported that the authorities are also collecting so-called military service fees from every household in the area.
The military council is conducting forced recruitment across the country for their 15th military service batch scheduled to begin in July. This includes summoning young people for military service, forcing them into porter duties, and conducting arbitrary arrests and forced conscription. Human rights observers note that such forced military recruitment of civilians violates international law and could constitute war crimes. The military council’s actions continue to demonstrate their disregard for civilian rights and international humanitarian standards as they attempt to strengthen their forces through coercive measures.
