Military kills aid workers and civilians in bid to secure Dawei SEZ, Fortify Rights reports

The Myanmar military arbitrarily detained, tortured, and killed at least five civilians—including three humanitarian aid workers—during a July 2026 counteroffensive in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region. According to an Aug. 31 report published by Fortify Rights, the atrocities occurred as regime forces moved to secure territory surrounding the strategically vital Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Russian-backed deep-water port project. Documented atrocities and civilian impact The military operation displaced thousands of residents across northern Tanintharyi as regime columns executed civilians and engaged in systematic arson: The July offensive followed a June 26 directive from military Deputy Commander-in-Chief Kyaw Swar Lin ordering the Coastal Region Military Command (RMC) in Myeik to secure the SEZ and the critical Ye–Dawei–Myeik–Bokpyin–Kawthaung highway corridor. International Crisis Group (ICG) Senior Asia Advisor Richard Horsey noted that while Naypyidaw is desperate to revive the Dawei hub to generate foreign currency and attract investment, the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project remains largely unviable for Moscow given the financial strain of its ongoing war in Ukraine. In its report, Fortify Rights called on ASEAN member states, Russia, and international commercial entities to immediately terminate business ties with the Myanmar regime, emphasizing that foreign investment in active conflict zones directly fuels military atrocities against local populations. Explore our Sanctions Monitor dashboard