Reuters reported that the Myanmar military has deployed hundreds of soldiers to the southern Tanintharyi region since July to clear areas designated for the Dawei Special Economic Zone of local residents.
The project involves the construction of a deep-water port and power plant on the Andaman Sea coast and is being pursued with Russian support. Myanmar officials see it as a strategic option to reduce dependence on the Strait of Malacca.
According to local sources, army forces burned some villages and houses during the operation and blocked off parts of the surrounding land. A resistance group also claimed that three aid workers were killed during the operation.
The operation coincides with Myanmar’s diplomatic efforts to advance the Dawei project. Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing discussed the project with Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Russia.
