7 July 2026 — Residents of Kalay are being urged to exercise extreme caution as State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) forces have launched another wave of forced military recruitment operations in the city center.
At approximately 1:50 p.m. today, local sources reported an increased military presence near the Min Gyi Hotel on General Aung San Road. This latest incursion follows a disturbing and persistent pattern of arbitrary detentions targeting local youths for military conscription.
This incident is not an isolated event but part of an intensifying security crisis in the Sagaing Region. For months, Kalay has served as a critical logistical base for the military.
As the SSPC struggles to replenish ranks depleted by desertions and battlefield losses, it has increasingly resorted to aggressive, indiscriminate recruitment tactics.
Previous reports from local monitoring groups indicate a severe shift in tactics. Recruitment patrols, comprising soldiers, police, and pro-junta militias, are no longer confined to isolated checkpoints but are actively operating in high-traffic areas and major intersections throughout the city.
Residents report that detainees can no longer secure their release through financial payments alone. SSPC authorities now reportedly demand that families provide a “replacement” individual to serve in the military in exchange for the release of a detainee, effectively holding local civilians as leverage to meet recruitment quotas.
Those apprehended are typically taken to the township administrative compound before being transferred to the No. 10 Advanced Military Training School near Sakhan Gyi village. There have also been credible reports of detainees being transported to other regions via military aircraft.
Local community groups, including the Kalay Public Strike Leading Committee, are advising residents to prioritize personal safety, highlighting they should steer clear of the Min Gyi Hotel area and known military checkpoints, particularly along General Aung San Road.
Military personnel are known to operate in both uniform and plainclothes. The public is encouraged to report any observed military movements, forced porter recruitment, or arbitrary arrests to Voice of Kalay via their Telegram channel.
The ongoing forced conscription drive has fueled widespread anxiety, causing significant internal displacement and forcing many young people to flee the region in search of safety. Residents are advised to stay informed through trusted local channels and to minimize non-essential travel in affected zones. – Reporting by Daniel
