Myanmar’s small-scale oil prospectors are caught in the crossfire as rebels and the military clash over control of the country’s artisanal oil fields. The conflict has intensified amid the Middle East energy crisis, which has driven up fuel prices and made Myanmar’s crude oil a valuable prize. Workers like Htun Aung, who earn just US$50 a week, face constant danger as they operate in the region known as “Anyar Dubai.” Despite the risks, many continue working because the alternative, finding another livelihood, is even harder.
The central region of Magway is home to a thriving but unregulated oil industry, where prospectors lease land to drill for crude. Some wells produce only small amounts, while others yield significant profits, supplying improvised refineries that process the oil into petrol and diesel. Rebels claim to have controlled oil fields in Myaing township since 2023, using the revenue to fund their operations against the military. However, they face relentless air and drone strikes, with 2026 already surpassing the total number of attacks from the previous year.
The military has launched major offensives to seize control of the oil fields, claiming to have captured over 130 wells in Myaing and 735 in neighboring Pakokku township in September. While large-scale oil projects are tightly controlled by the military, the smaller artisanal fields have become a key target for rebels due to their ability to operate under the radar. Analysts suggest that the conflict is driven by broader military efforts to cut off rebel revenue sources, with spiking oil prices raising the stakes even higher.
According to Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group, the artisanal oil fields are significant because they are small enough to avoid global attention but large enough to fund guerrilla operations. With millions of barrels being produced annually, the profits from these fields have become a critical source of funding for both rebels and the military. As the war continues, the battle for control of Myanmar’s oil resources is likely to intensify.