Myanmar military forcibly clears land for Russia-backed port project, burns villages

Aug 21, 2026

Myanmar's military has deployed hundreds of troops to forcibly clear land for the Russia-backed Dawei Special Economic Zone, burning villages and killing civilians in the southern Tanintharyi Region. Supported by air and naval strikes, the offensive has forced local resistance groups to retreat. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is actively promoting the deep-sea port project to Russia and Thailand as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca, despite severe local instability.

Military offensive in Dawei

▪The military push in southern Myanmar followed a late-June 2026 visit by armed forces deputy chief Kyaw Swar Lin, who urged soldiers to protect strategic projects.
▪The Myanmar military offensive around the Dawei Special Economic Zone is reinforced by air and naval attacks that have overwhelmed local resistance groups.
▪The Myanmar military deployed hundreds of troops to forcibly clear land for a Russia-backed special economic zone in southern Myanmar.

Russia-backed port project

▪The planned Dawei Special Economic Zone includes a deep-sea port and a power plant on the Andaman Sea, designed as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca.
▪Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stated that Russian companies intend to work with the Dawei Special Economic Zone to expand trade and create jobs.
▪The Dawei project originally launched in 2008 as a joint venture with Thailand but stalled in 2013 due to local opposition and funding shortages.

Village burning operations

▪A column of approximately 700 Myanmar soldiers has been advancing into areas surrounding the Dawei project, raiding villages according to conflict monitor ACLED.
▪Myanmar military forces conducting area-clearance operations have torched houses and burned down villages within the Dawei Special Economic Zone project area.

Civilian casualties reported

▪Conflict monitor ACLED reported in August 2026 that the advancing military column of 700 soldiers has been killing civilians in the region.
▪Myanmar military forces detained and killed three aid workers supporting displaced communities in Yebyu Township on July 9, 2026.

Junta diplomatic outreach

▪Myanmar Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing pitched the Dawei project to Thailand in August 2026 and discussed it with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
▪Tanintharyi Region Chief Minister Zaw Naing Oo promoted the Dawei project at a Moscow business forum, stating it could bypass the Strait of Malacca.

Resistance forces retreat

▪Local resistance groups in the southern Tanintharyi Region have been forced to retreat following battles with advancing Myanmar military forces since July 2026.
▪The military offensive has sparked frequent skirmishes, overwhelming loosely organized local resistance groups in the deep-sea port project area.