On September 3, USDP Party Chairman Khin Hyi conducted interviews with military lobbyists through his Telegram channel, where he emphasized the increasing necessity of the military service law for Myanmar. According to his statement, the law is essential due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and its position between two major powers. He claimed that military service laws exist worldwide and in neighboring countries, citing the constitution’s provision that all citizens must receive military training and serve in accordance with the law.
Khin Hyi explicitly denied claims that USDP party members would be exempt from military service, stating that no such exemption exists in the law and that it would be incorrect to suggest the party has special privileges. However, reports from the ground indicate that the USDP has been actively recruiting young people by promising protection from military conscription and forced porter duties. Some youth have revealed that their parents pushed them to join the USDP out of fear of being conscripted for porter duties or military service.
The military council has been implementing the military service law since February 2024, forcibly recruiting 5,000 young people monthly for military service. The program has now reached its 17th batch of recruits. This systematic conscription continues despite widespread opposition from the public and reports of young people fleeing their homes to avoid being drafted. The situation highlights the growing tension between the military council’s attempts to bolster its forces through mandatory service and the population’s resistance to these measures.
