Myanmar or Burma

Myanmar's junta is enforcing a law requiring all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve at least two years under military command, it said on Saturday, as it struggles to crush opposition to its 2021 coup.

The country has been in turmoil since the military seized power that year, with massive pro-democracy protests morphing into widespread armed resistance.

The new TNLA policy requires all men of Ta'ang ethnicity between the ages of 16 and 35 to join their fighting force, but provides exemptions for monks, men in poor health, and men from families with two or more sons if one has already enlisted.

Bago males are being conscripted and chosen by lot to join militias. Money to pay for their food and salaries is being extorted from villagers.