A massive military operation aimed at reviving a stalled economic zone in southern Myanmar has resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including a Buddhist monk and a minor, and the displacement of thousands of residents.
According to a report released on August 2 by the local advocacy group Dawei SEZ Watch, Myanmar junta forces killed six people and arbitrarily arrested 13 others during July sweeps through the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project area in Yebyu Township.
The escalation follows early June orders from Deputy Commander-in-Chief Kyaw Swar Lin for "area clearance operations" to secure the resumption of the controversial megaproject.
Since July 9, an estimated 1,000 junta troops have descended upon the area, advancing along multiple routes.
“They claim the operations are intended to provide security for the project, but in reality, they are arresting and killing civilians and burning down homes,” said Hay Tu, a member of Dawei SEZ Watch. “Many residents have been displaced because of the military operations, and their livelihoods have been completely disrupted.”
Hay Tu detailed a pattern of severe human rights violations accompanying the troop movements, including the use of civilians as human shields, extrajudicial killings, widespread arson, and the looting of private property.
The July offensives have forced residents from approximately 40 villages within the Dawei SEZ footprint to flee for their lives.
While many have sought refuge in safer locations, several villages remain subjected to repeated military incursions.
A source from a local revolutionary force told IMNA that a junta column currently operating near Myohaung village has been shooting or arresting youths encountered on the roads.
“They advanced toward Myohaung village and either shot or arrested anyone they encountered,” the source reported, adding that a young man was shot and killed on July 28. "Nearly 1,000 troops have been deployed around the Nabule area to suppress residents.”
Dawei SEZ Watch concluded that the junta's aggressive push to restart the Dawei SEZ project has only devastated the region, drastically worsening the security, socioeconomic stability, and human rights situation for local communities.
