Fight back or flee? Myanmar draft forces hard choices on youth

Title: "Fight Back or Flee: The Dilemma Facing Young People in Myanmar Amidst the Nationwide Draft"

Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been in a state of political turmoil since the military seized power in a coup d'état on February 1, 2021. The junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has since declared a nationwide draft, forcing young people across the country to make difficult decisions about their future.

The announcement of the draft came as part of the military's efforts to bolster its ranks and quell ongoing protests against its rule. The draft applies to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 35, with some reports suggesting that the age limit may be lowered further. The military has stated that those who refuse to comply will face penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Two young women from different regions of Myanmar have recently made the decision to leave their homes and join the resistance against the junta in the jungles. One of them is Khin Mar Mar Gyi, a 21-year-old medical student from Mandalay, who joined the People's Defense Force (PDF), an armed resistance group that has been formed in response to the coup. Khin Mar Mar Gyi left her family behind and traveled over 300 miles to join the PDF, taking up arms against the junta and providing medical assistance to her comrades.

Another young woman who made a similar decision is Thinzar Shun Lei Yi, a 23-year-old activist and poet from Yangon. Thinzar Shun Lei Yi joined the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic armed group that has been fighting for autonomy in eastern Myanmar for over 70 years. Thinzar Shun Lei Yi left her family and friends behind to join the KNU and contribute her skills as a poet and activist to their cause.

The decision to join the resistance is not an easy one for young people in Myanmar. The risks are high, with the junta using brutal force against those who oppose them. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 1,300 people have been killed and over 9,000 have been arrested since the coup.

For those who choose to flee, there are few options. Many have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Bangladesh, where they face the challenges of living as refugees and building new lives in unfamiliar environments. Others have remained in Myanmar and gone into hiding, risking arrest and persecution if they are discovered.

The situation in Myanmar is complex and evolving, with no easy answers for young people facing difficult choices about their future. The international community can play a role in supporting those who have been displaced by the crisis and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In conclusion, the nationwide draft in Myanmar has forced young people to make difficult decisions about their future. Some have chosen to join the resistance and take up arms against the junta, while others have fled their homes and sought refuge abroad. The risks are high for both options, and the international community can play a role in supporting those affected by the crisis and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.