Arakan Army to begin conscription in Myanmar’s west

One of Myanmar’s most powerful rebel armies will begin conscription for all residents over 18 years old, sources told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

The Arakan Army, or AA, which controls the vast majority of western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, is organizing administrative processes in the state that would make conscription a legal obligation, a source close to the AA told RFA, adding that details would be released soon.

A resident from the state’s Mrauk-U township also confirmed that the AA was holding meetings in villages to discuss details about the conscription.