Myanmar's junta has announced compulsory military service for young people, apparently to make up for soldiers it has lost fighting pro-democracy forces and ethnic minority militias.

The country's state-run media said Saturday that the measure will begin in accordance with a law enacted in 2010 to oblige conscription.

The media said men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve for up to two years. The military service can be extended to five years during a state of emergency.

The military stressed that every citizen has the duty to safeguard Myanmar's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The country's military seized power in a coup in February 2021. It has since been battling against pro-democracy forces and ethnic minority militias.

But the military has been seeing a growing number of soldiers killed or surrendering after the alliance of ethnic militants launched coordinated offensives in late October in the eastern state of Shan.