Myanmar or Burma

The new TNLA policy requires all men of Ta'ang ethnicity between the ages of 16 and 35 to join their fighting force, but provides exemptions for monks, men in poor health, and men from families with two or more sons if one has already enlisted.

Bago males are being conscripted and chosen by lot to join militias. Money to pay for their food and salaries is being extorted from villagers.

Senior officers told Frontier the humiliating defeats across northern Shan have shocked the military establishment.

“He is the worst leader in the history of the military and the country. His leadership destroys the dignity of our military,” said a major-general in the air force, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“We have to give the commander-in-chief time to deal with the current crisis. But if he fails, everyone will hear some breaking news within two months. I’m saying the end of February. I think that’s enough time,” he said, speaking to Frontier late last year.

“I’ve never seen a situation like this before. The army is fighting across the entire country. Tanks and heavy weapons are being lost. The military is losing a shocking number of soldiers,” he said.