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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Guardian staff and agencies

Myanmar’s junta declares it will enforce military service laws for young people

Myanmar's military-controlled government has been gripped by chaos since seizing power from an elected government in a 2021 coup.
Myanmar's military-controlled government has been gripped by chaos since seizing power from an elected government in a 2021 coup. Photograph: Aung Shine Oo/AP

Myanmar’s junta has declared mandatory military service for all young men and women, state media said, as it struggles to contain armed rebel forces fighting for greater autonomy in various parts of the country.

All men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 must serve for up to two years, while specialists like doctors aged up to 45 must serve for three years. The service can be extended to a total of five years in the ongoing state of emergency, state media said on Saturday.

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