Myanmar military offensive targets land for Russia-backed port project
The Dawei push is part of the military's broader effort to retake strategic territory and border areas lost to opposition groups since the 2021 coup triggered a civil war.
Myanmar military forces have been actively deploying troops to clear areas designated for a Russia-backed special economic zone in the country's south, particularly around the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This offensive includes the construction of a deep-sea port and power plant on the Andaman Sea, with the goal of revitalizing a project seen as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca.
The military's aggressive actions coincide with a diplomatic push, as junta chief-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing promoted Dawei as a gateway to South and West Asia during visits to Thailand and Russia. The military's presence in the Tanintharyi Region, where Dawei is located, has led to skirmishes with local resistance groups, resulting in the burning of villages and the killing of civilians and aid workers.
Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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