Nearly 30 civilians have been arrested and thousands from over 20 villages have been forced to flee as the military council conducts clearance operations with three columns of troops in Yebyu and Launglone areas for the implementation of the Dawei Deep Sea Port Project in Tanintharyi Region. According to Comrade Shay Door, Information Officer of the Launglone Township People’s Defense Force, the military council has been conducting continuous operations in the region since March 14 with three separate columns totaling nearly 900 troops.
Following the announcement by the military council-appointed Chief Minister about the commencement of the deep sea port project on March 13, one military column entered the area the next day, and all three columns launched simultaneous operations on March 30. Comrade Shay Door stated that the military council forces aim to completely eliminate the People’s Defense Forces in the deep sea port area. The military operations have resulted in the arrest of nearly 30 civilians, while thousands of residents from more than 20 villages have been forced to evacuate to safer locations.
Currently, the military council forces are based near Maungmagan, Nabule, and the Dawei Deep Sea Port area, with ongoing military tensions with revolutionary forces on the ground. The military council is using local civilians as human shields, and there are possibilities of armed confrontations. Reports indicate that the deep sea port project has not yet been implemented, and the military council needs to complete their clearance operations before the project can begin. The situation remains tense as local communities continue to face displacement and security threats while the military council attempts to secure the area for the development project.
