Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 28 January 2025

Concerns have grown in Sittwe of Arakan State, as reports emerge that several civil servants under the military junta may be required to undergo military training in the coming days. The junta is also recruiting local residents including civil servants and their families to join the military.

A female staff member from Sittwe told Narinjara News that there are growing concerns as reports indicate that the education staff and employees of other departments may have to undergo military training.

"I am very worried as reports suggest that employees in their 20s and 30s will be required to undergo military training. I heard that both men and women must meet the age requirements set by the military service law. We are not allowed to go anywhere, not even to Yangon," she added.

The civil servant community expressed anxieties over the reports that staff members in Sittwe have been prevented from fleeing and they will be forced to join the military.

A man close to the local staff also informed Narinjara News that the ward administrators (through the general administration appointed by the junta) are recruiting departmental staff, their families, and other urban residents on a ward-by-ward basis to serve  the military.

"In recent days, the families of civil servants have been persuaded. The general administration has an exact list and they told the adults in these families that they must serve in the military. Local residents are being persuaded through the ward administrators," he added.

The residents reported that the junta had closed all exits from Sittwe, except the air routes, and they are closely monitoring the movements of locals.

Narinjara News tried to contact State Attorney General U Hla Thein, who also serves as the junta spokesperson for Arakan State, for a response regarding the reports of civil servants being called up for military service, but remained unsuccessful in reaching him.

On 23 January, the junta announced that adults aged between 18 to 35 years, including non-CDM civil servants working under the junta, are now required to comply with the military service law.

Following the announcement, the concerns have grown particularly among non-CDM civil servants working under the junta.