CNI News

13 September 2025

In Hopin Town, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has been recruiting soldiers by detaining local residents and asking ransoms from those who want to be released, according to locals.

In recent days, more than 50 residents from a cockfight event in Wekone Ward, Hopin, were arrested by a joint force of KIA/PDF to be conscripted as soldiers, people close to the detainees said.

“Last Saturday around 3 p.m., when the cockfight area was crowded, they came and arrested people. Over 50 were taken. They said it was because they needed soldiers, but if you pay money, they would release you.”, said a resident.

Entrance to Hopin Town

Currently, those arrested are said to have been taken to Nanyin and Sein Lone Taung, locals reported.

Later, the KIA/PDF joint forces demanded about 5–6 million kyats per person for release. While some who could afford to pay were freed, the majority who could not afford the ransom are still being held, locals added.

Locals explained that due to the ongoing clashes between KIA/PDF joint forces and the Tatmadaw in Kachin State and Sagaing Region, the need for soldiers has significantly increased, leading to more frequent forced recruitment.