The military council’s Battalion No. 6 in Pakokku District held a graduation ceremony on March 18 for its battalion formation and training program, which included officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. At the ceremony, the Pakokku District correspondent delivered an opening speech, followed by battalion officials giving encouraging remarks to the graduating trainees. This type of training program represents the military council’s efforts to strengthen its armed forces amid ongoing resistance.
The military council has been increasingly conducting military training exercises and opening training programs across various regions, both recruiting new soldiers and providing additional training to existing troops. Analysts suggest that this intensification of training programs may be due to the declining numbers within the military council’s forces. The council has been experiencing significant losses due to attacks from People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), prompting efforts to replenish their ranks.
The military council has been implementing forced conscription of young people into military service and mandatory training programs, arresting and threatening those who refuse to comply. Additionally, the council continues to commit acts of violence against civilians, including killings of innocent people, arbitrary arrests and torture, and confiscation of private property. Observers note that these increased training activities may lead to further oppression of civilians by the military council’s forces. The expansion of military training programs reflects the council’s desperate attempts to maintain control while facing growing resistance from multiple fronts across the country.
