A total of 27 migrants from Myanmar who were repatriated by the Thai authorities and were conscripted into the military reportedly escaped to the Karen National Union (KNU) in Tanintharyi Region on Tuesday. Two other conscripts are missing.
The group crossed the Tanintharyi border looking for work but were handed back in early September.
They were drafted into the military at the Palaw Operations Command, according to KNU’s Myeik district secretary Saw Ehna Doh.
The 29 conscripts reportedly overpowered and killed two junta guards, took their weapons and reached KNU territory.
Saw Ehna Doh told The Irrawaddy: “They said they fought two troops and killed them and brought their two rifles with them.”
A total of 27 people reached KNU Brigade 4 and two others are still missing.
Saw Ehna Doh said the young men were from Hpa-an in Karen State, Mawlamyine in Mon State and Tanintharyi Region and are ethnically Karen, Mon, Bamar and Rakhine.
He said 22 members of the group have volunteered to join one of the KNU’s armed wings, the Karen National Defense Organization, and five will return home.
The young men reportedly left Myanmar to avoid the forced conscription that was introduced in February.
Ko Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development said the Thai authorities send around 100 illegal migrants back to Myanmar per month through the Ranong-Kawthaung border.
Regime spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun told BBC Burmese that the KNU had forced the men to enlist.
The regime is facing manpower shortages as the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 1027 continues to advance from northern Shan State amid defeats on other fronts.
The regime began training draftees in April and said it would train 25,000 recruits in six months.
The Conscription Law requires men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve at least two years when drafted. The law has increased the numbers crossing Myanmar’s borders, normally heading to Thailand, while others have joined anti-regime forces.
The regime has also started forming People’s Security and Anti-Terrorism Groups at village and ward levels comprising men older than 35.
