Family members have reported that new military recruits sent to frontline areas in Rakhine, Magway, and Sagaing have lost contact with their families, with their fate unknown. Among them is Maung Kyaw Myint, age 20, from Dala Township in Yangon Region, who was forcibly recruited on October 12, 2024, at 7 PM while returning from his masonry work. He was arrested on the Yangon-Dala ferry by three men who accused him of being a pickpocket, then taken to the No. 1 Military Training School in Gyogon, Yangon. After completing the 9th batch of military training, he was sent to Rakhine State by aircraft in April 2025, arriving in Sittwe Township. Since May 12, 2025, he has completely lost contact with his family, who remain uncertain whether he is alive or dead.
Similarly, Ko Naing Win Maung, age 30, from Nyaungdon Township in Ayeyarwady Region, who has a wife and a 5-year-old daughter, was conscripted through a lottery system. He was sent to No. 3 Advanced Training School (Kyaingtong) in Namsan, Southern Shan State, where he completed the 8th batch of military training. After training, he was deployed to Infantry Battalion 251 in Pakokku Township, Magway Region, after which all contact with his family was lost. Ko Nyi Nyi Oo, age 29, from Shwepyithar Township in Yangon Region, who worked as a street vendor at the Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal in Mingaladon Township, was also forcibly recruited and sent to the No. 1 Military Training School in Gyogon. After completing the 3rd batch of training, he was deployed to the Northwest Military Command in Monywa Township, and his family has not heard from him since October 2024, nearly 8 months ago.
Family members from various townships including Thingangyun, South Dagon, Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon Region, Nyaung-U in Mandalay Region, and Yeikgyi and Kyonepyaw in Ayeyarwady Region have also reported similar cases of losing contact with their relatives who were forcibly recruited into military service. When families attempt to inquire about their missing relatives at the respective training schools and military units, they receive no meaningful response, only being told that their whereabouts are unknown. The military council has been conducting monthly military training courses since April 2024, now reaching the 15th batch of recruits.
