Conscripts from Central Myanmar Face Heavy Losses on Arakan Front

 Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 28 October 2024

New recruits trained by the military regime in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, and Magway regions are being sent in large numbers to fight in Arakan State, where they are suffering high casualty rates, according to a report by the Burma Affairs & Conflict Study (BACS).

The first group of conscripts arrived on the frontlines as the Arakan Army (AA) launched attacks near Thandwe in Arakan State, said U Min Htet Aung, a researcher at BACS.

"Draftees were also deployed to Maungdaw, and their relatives say they've lost contact with them," he noted.

Local sources report that conscripted soldiers have been killed in clashes in Thandwe, Gwa, and Maungdaw townships. Some recruits have reportedly deserted during fighting in Thandwe and Gwa.

"New conscripts are involved in the battles at Maung Shwe Lay naval base and Tha Htay Chaung in Thandwe. Several have died in those clashes, and some have run away. Now, fresh recruits are among those fleeing the fighting in Gwa, with regime forces in pursuit," a Thandwe resident said.

U Kyaw Moe Tun mentioned a young conscript from the western Magway Region who joined to earn 6 million kyats for his mother's medical care. After training, he was sent to Thandwe, where he was killed fighting the AA.

"We've heard of other deaths and are investigating the latest developments," he added.

While many casualties have been reported since conscripts entered combat, BACS has not confirmed exact numbers.

The military regime has set up conscript training at 23 centers nationwide for batches 1 through 5.

On October 20, BACS reported that Shan State has the most training facilities with 7 centers.

The junta has also established four training centers in Mandalay Region, two each in Mon, Sagaing, Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions, and one each in Magway and Tanintharyi regions.

The first conscription round brought in nearly 5,000 recruits, with over 4,000 joining in each subsequent batch.

BACS estimates at least 21,000 conscripts have been recruited from the first through fifth batches.