KIA forcibly conscripting young men across Kachin-Sagaing border

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is allegedly forcibly conscripting young men throughout towns along the Kachin-Sagaing border, according to local residents.Since early this month, the KIA has been primarily recruiting people in Katha Township, Sagaing Region, residents say—all part of their aim to more effectively fight against the junta.Young men, who have already been targeted by the regime’s forced conscription now face another threat—KIA fighters seizing recruits, adding to their struggle to avoid the battlefield. In recent days, KIA troops allegedly forcibly conscripted two men who were traveling. The same source claims the KIA enlisted another three bricklayers in Katha’s Pay Kone Village.According to sources, recruitment is taking place across towns in Sagaing; including Indaw, Maw Lu, and Katha, with KIA troops repeatedly entering small villages to conduct forced enlistments. Those refusing to join have been forced to flee. “Around 6am yesterday, they attempted to capture people at a tea shop in Nam See Awng Village, causing a group of people to flee in panic,” one local resident told Myanmar Now. Locals estimate that the KIA has forcibly recruited at least 100 people from Maw Lu Town and Nam See Awng Village in the past two months. Since early this year, KIA troops have warned residents in Na Mee Village, Indaw Township, and other villages west of Maw Lu that young men must either enlist voluntarily or face forced conscription. Residents reported that Battalion 35, a unit under KIA Brigade 8, is primarily responsible for recruiting soldiers in these specific border areas. Myanmar Now has repeatedly reached out to KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu for comment on the reported forced conscription, but has received no response. In December 2023, Maw Lu was captured from the junta by the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and its allied forces. In early 2024, the regime attempted to retake control of town again. Local administrators have urged residents to stay indoors and close their shops by 7pm, warning they will not be able to intervene if KIA forces seize village residents, a source said.“They told us to stay indoors and warned they wouldn't take responsibility if anyone was captured outside,” the source added. “However, they are capturing people even during the day. Because of this, every village in Maw Lu is now holding meetings.” The KIA and the Kachin People’s Defence Force (KPDF) have been conducting military operations in various parts of Sagaing Region for months. Since March 2024, the KIA and its allies have launched offensives across Kachin State, seizing territory in their fight against the junta. After capturing Mansi Town, they have escalated attacks on Bhamo, home to Military Operations Command (MOC) 21.

KIA forcibly conscripting young men across Kachin-Sagaing border

Residents report widespread recruitment, with locals fleeing to avoid capture

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