In Kyaukse Township, Mandalay Region, one youth was killed when military forces opened fire on a group of eight young people who attempted to escape after being forcibly recruited as porters. According to local residents, the incident occurred on March 14 when military council troops were escorting captured youth from various villages. While the soldiers were eating at a shop beyond Yaywin village, eight young people seized the opportunity to escape. The military troops pursued them, opening fire and resulting in one youth being shot and killed. The remaining youth are still being hunted by the military forces.
In Aunglan Township, Magway Region, the military has intensified porter recruitment following an attack on their patrol near Sambula village. On March 13, approximately 25 soldiers from Infantry Battalion 15 based in Aunglan were patrolling near Sambula village when resistance forces ambushed them at the junction of Phongyi-Ingyi-Kywekaung village road. The attack resulted in three soldiers being killed and many others wounded. Following this incident, the military has established defensive positions in Shwepantaw village, Sambula village, Kyaukpandaung village, and the local police station. They have implemented strict checkpoints and are forcibly recruiting young people as porters. Local residents report that the military is conducting thorough searches of all travelers and specifically targeting youth for forced recruitment.
In Oaktwin Township, Bago Region, the Pyu Saw Htee militia led by Bo Mya is reportedly using vehicles disguised as religious transport to capture young people in the Kywebye town’s Kingyi area. Since early March, the militia has been conducting arrests, temporarily holding captured youth at the General Administration Office before transferring them to the military during nighttime. The Pyu Saw Htee group has been entering villages and forcibly recruiting young people, using vehicles decorated with religious symbols as a cover for their operations. Local sources indicate that Bo Mya’s group is armed with guns and hand grenades while conducting these forced recruitment operations.
