Yangon youth gripped by fear as recruitment arrests intensify

By Admin 29 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

29 April 2026, Yangon

Youth in various townships in Yangon Region say they are facing growing insecurity as the regime increases arrests linked to military recruitment.

Residents reported that administrative members, police, and junta soldiers are collaborating to conduct overnight guest list checks and are increasingly entering homes to make arrests.

"Overnight guest list checks have become more frequent. For some people, they come looking with specific lists. They even ask who else is there if they see extra pairs of shoes. Even in my own home, I have to be more cautious because there are men here," said a woman living in Hlaingthayar Township.

Consecutive arrests have also been reported in crowded areas such as tea shops and bus stops.

"Whether it is day or night, I can no longer live peacefully. They even enter tea shops to take people. Some factory workers were also arrested while waiting for the bus. Sometimes they wait to make arrests in civilian clothes. Nowhere is safe anymore. Now, we have to pay more attention to overnight guest list inspections at night," a man in Tamwe Township said.

According to data from the Rangoon Scout Network, up to nine people were arrested in townships including Hlaing, Thanlyin, and South Dagon during the week from April 20 to 26. Of them, seven were arrested inside their homes based on military service lists.

The regime has been continuously sending arrested youths to military training, which has now reached Batch 24.

On the morning of April 27, the regime announced that opening ceremonies for Military Training Batch 24 were held at various regional military commands.

With the increase in forced conscription and portering, there are also warnings for youth in controlled areas to remain highly cautious.

"Those of prime age should be more careful. We often hear about arrests at lake banks and bus stops at night. Sometimes, they take people in groups while wearing civilian clothes. To a bystander, it looks like a kidnapping gang. It turns out to be soldiers in civilian clothes doing portering. Therefore, everyone needs to be mindful of their movements in this situation," said an Arakanese man in Yangon.

While fighting between the regime and revolutionary forces continues across Myanmar, the regime, which has lost some territories, is attempting to regain control.

Facing increasing battlefield casualties, the regime has activated the Military Service Law, forcibly arresting and portering youth across the country, providing military training, and sending them to the front lines.

The regime opened Military Training Batch 1 in April 2024 and has stated that 5,000 recruits are trained per batch under the military service law.

Based on that figure and the current Batch 24, it is estimated that up to 120000 recruits have been collected.