Junta plans to recruit locals to military service as only 12 battalions survive in southern Rakhine

As the military junta's remaining 12 battalions are stationed in five cities of southern Rakhine State, they are planning to recruit locals as militiamen to resist the Arakan Army (AA) in need, said local residents.

In the southern Rakhine townships like Taungup, Thandwe, Gwa, Ann and Kyaukphyu, there are only 10 light infantry battalions under 15th military operations command (MOC-15) and two infantry battalions under western command.

These battalions include 346th light infantry battalion and 544th light infantry battalion in Taungup,  371st light infantry battalion, 372nd light infantry battalion and 373rd light infantry battalion in Ann, 542nd light infantry battalion, 543rd light infantry battalion and 34th infantry battalion in Kyaukphyu, 562nd light infantry battalion, 563rd light infantry battalion and 566th light infantry battalion in Gwa, and 55th infantry battalion in Thandwe locality.

A military researcher pointed out that with about 100 soldiers in each battalion the total estimated strength will be around 1,200. Considering other forces  including the police the cumulative strength will be around 2,000.

"Youths are being recruited into the military service from every village under  Thandwe township. An announcement was made last night that all men in  Kyaung Kone village-tract of Shwe Hlay area will have to attend an organised meet,” revealed a resident.

The junta also asked all men in the village-tract to gather at Kyaung Kone school along with their registration cards.

"The villagers are now worried. They are mostly  farmers and fishermen. They are reluctant to participate in the meeting as they may be compelled to undergo military training, but they have little choices," added the resident.

The AA fighters have already seized control over Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Myebon townships in northern Rakhine State. Paletwa to the India-Bangladesh border areas are also under their control. Meanwhile, military tensions are escalating in Kyaukphyu, Ann and  Sittwe townships.

In addition to the 550th light infantry battalion stationed in Ponnagyun, the AA fighters are actively seeking to seize control over the military bases in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Ramree townships.

Many villagers from  Thandwe locality have been recruited in the military service. On 27 February, many youths from Za Lun, Yae Phyu Aing, Mel Nel Kwin, Gone Za Yat and Maday villages were selected for military training.

On that day, two leaders from the USDP along with the village administrator asked the villagers to gather for a meeting and later conducted a lottery to select individuals for military services, said a resident of Za Lun village.

"They instructed at least one man from each household to attend the meeting. After the lottery in the meeting, they selected  20 individuals for a 12-day military training,” added the resident.

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