Mizzima
Thousands of residents are fleeing their homes in Kyunhla Township, Kanbalu District, Sagaing Region,
due to threats and pressure from the military regime forcing women into military service, according to local women and revolutionary forces.
An official from the Kyunhla-Kanbalu Activist Group revealed that the junta, led by Pyu Saw Htee Monk Warsawa and the administrator of Thitywarmyaing in Kyunhla Township, is coercing women to join the military.
“They are forcing women to serve in the military. They claimed that any woman must go. Thus, some entire villages are fleeing,” an official said.
Approximately 10,000 civilians from villages such as Kyaukaing, Tapaung, Hngetpyawtaw, Ngabataing, Thanbo, Bokone, Sanpya, Kyikone, Ywarthi, Zeetaw, and Chaungkway in Kyunhla Township have fled due to this pressure.
“They threatened that if there are no men, women have to go. No one in our village drew the lottery. Since we did not dare to draw, almost the entire village has fled,” a woman from Tapaung village said.
In Kyikone Village, the village administrator and members of the Pyu Saw Htee militia are leading efforts to forcibly recruit locals and have confiscated villagers’ Identification Cards to prevent them from fleeing. Despite this, many have still managed to escape, according to local sources.
Kanbalu and Kyunhla townships are known for their strong resistance against the military dictatorship and the presence of pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee villages. Currently, military activities by the regime are ongoing in Kanbalu Township.
On the night of 12 June, junta troops and the Pyu Saw Htee militia raided villages in southern Kanbalu Township, including Htankone, Khawthanti, Moekyoe, Okpho, and Ohntaw, apprehending about 40 people under the pretext of military service, according to local sources.
Military soldiers remained stationed in Htankone Village until 13 June, restricting locals from entering and leaving, a resident stated.
Attempts to contact Monk Warsawa for comments were unsuccessful.
Many residents from Kanbalu, Kyunhla, and Taze townships have relocated to major cities like Yangon and Mandalay to escape junta threats. Those facing financial difficulties are reportedly taking refuge on farmland and in nearby villages.
The junta issued the Conscription Law on 10 February, mandating military service for men and women over the age of 18. Since then, young adults from junta-controlled townships have been called up for military training.
Despite reports of forced recruitment due to difficulties in voluntary enlistment, the military regime denies these allegations.
