Human rights groups have long criticised the use of child soldiers by the government and rebel groups in Myanmar’s ethnic conflicts.

As part of a wave of political reforms, however, the government has signed a pledge to release child soldiers from the army and reintegrate them into society.

Armed opposition groups have also signed a deal promising to stop recruiting children under the age of 18.

In interviews obtained by Al Jazeera, former child soldiers describe what they have endured.

Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi reports.