Myanmar military clears land for Russia-backed Dawei port zone

Myanmar's military has deployed hundreds of troops to clear land in southeastern Myanmar earmarked for a Russia-backed special economic zone project, according to resistance fighters and local activists with knowledge of the operation. The offensive has resulted in the burning of villages and the sealing off of surrounding areas to prevent residents from accessing their land.

The Dawei special economic zone represents a major infrastructure initiative in Myanmar's Tanintharyi Region, near the Thai border. The project has attracted Russian investment and is viewed by some analysts as strategically significant given geopolitical tensions in the region. The military's land-clearing operation appears designed to remove obstacles to the zone's development.

The forced clearance has displaced residents from their homes and agricultural lands. Local activists report that the military has implemented movement restrictions in the vicinity, preventing communities from returning to affected areas. Resistance fighters opposing the military junta have documented the operation, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact of the development project.

The operation underscores tensions between large-scale infrastructure development and the protection of civilian populations in Myanmar. Since the military coup in February 2021, such forced relocations have become increasingly common as the junta pursues economic projects with limited regard for affected communities. The Dawei project remains one of Southeast Asia's most ambitious but controversial development initiatives.