In Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, military junta forces have been advancing into several townships, raising the risk of imminent intense clashes, according to local resistance groups.
Military movements have been ongoing since mid-October in Launglon and Thayetchaung Townships, with junta forces continuously sending troops into these areas.
According to Min Lwin Oo, a spokesperson for the Dawei Strike Committee, ongoing skirmishes between junta troops and resistance forces could escalate at any time.
“One side is ready to defend, while the other is prepared to attack. Troops are continually being deployed, especially in Launglon and Thayetchaung. In Launglon, there are about 80 junta soldiers actively moving in,” he said.
Reports indicate that junta forces are using rockets and other heavy artillery in the area, heightening the tension. In response, residents are preparing for potential displacement, with many accelerating their harvest and selling their crops to secure resources before fleeing.
A representative from the Human Rights Foundation of Monland added, “Dawei is a critical port and economic hub. The military junta is intensifying its attacks to weaken resistance forces, with civilians often caught in the crossfire. This has led to an almost daily cycle of conflict.”
Further reports from locals in Yebyu township indicate that junta forces have been clearing the Yangon-Dawei highway, suggesting a continued military presence in the area.
Due to the fighting and increased military activity, the number of displaced persons in Tanintharyi Region continues to rise. In September alone, around 59,000 people were forced to flee their homes due to junta airstrikes, shelling, and military incursions, according to data from FE5 Tanintharyi.
