Myanmar’s military junta has intensified its campaign against rebel groups in the country’s northern and western regions, making territorial gains while forcibly conscripting civilians into the national army. The developments have prompted the British Foreign Office to call for emergency diplomatic talks, amid growing concerns about a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
According to reports from local observers and international monitors, junta forces have recaptured several townships in Sagaing Region and Rakhine State that had been under the control of ethnic armed organisations and resistance militias. The offensives, which began in late January, have been accompanied by a renewed drive to enforce the country’s 2010 conscription law. Men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are being rounded up in government-controlled areas and on the outskirts of conflict zones. Witnesses describe forced recruitment at checkpoints and during military sweeps.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that it has requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council and is pushing for a coordinated international response. A spokesperson stated: “The escalating violence and systematic forced conscription by the junta represent a flagrant violation of international law. We are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
Analysts note that the junta’s recent gains are partly a result of its increased reliance on air power and artillery, which have caused significant civilian casualties. The United Nations estimates that more than 2.3 million people have been displaced since the military seized power in February 2021. The junta has designated many of its opponents as “terrorists”, justifying the use of overwhelming force.
Rebel groups, including the National Unity Government and its armed wing, the People’s Defence Force, have acknowledged losing ground but insist they are regrouping. A spokesperson for the NUG said: “We are facing a brutal counter-insurgency campaign. But the junta cannot hold what it takes. We will continue our resistance.”
The humanitarian impact of the forced conscription is severe. Aid agencies report that young men are fleeing villages to avoid being drafted, leaving families without breadwinners. The junta’s actions also risk deepening the country’s economic crisis, as labour shortages worsen.
The British call for emergency talks signals a shift towards more direct diplomatic intervention. However, China and Russia, which have repeatedly blocked UN action on Myanmar, are unlikely to support strong measures. The emergency talks are expected to focus on achieving a ceasefire and establishing a framework for political dialogue, but divisions within the international community may limit their effectiveness.
For now, the junta shows no sign of halting its offensives. With forced conscription adding to the misery of millions, the situation in Myanmar remains one of the most intractable crises in Southeast Asia.
