Fake News: Disinformation on incidents in Bago and Sagaing Regions

It is found that illegal Khit Thit media spread the false information on social media, alleging that the security forces burnt down the Natyaedwin village in Paungde Township, Bago Region on 24th January. The security forces were informed about an arson attack planned by PDF terrorists outside Natyaedwin village on January 23rd.

Acting swiftly on this intelligence, they conducted a security operation on the 24th, engaging with the terrorists who had fled after setting fire to the village houses. Similarly, the fake news on social media alleged that the security forces burnt down the grocery store and houses in Ywarma Village of Sagaing Region on early morning of 24th January.

According to the ground security officials, the security forces did not carry out the security tasks near that village and PDF terrorist looted goods, cashes and burnt down the grocery store and 10 other houses.

Also, other false information on social media claimed that 18 houses were destroyed due to the arson attack carried out by the security forces in Yaelemaw Village of Wat Lat Township on 24th January. Regarding the fake news, an official refuted that the security forces did not visit Wat Lat Township in Sagaing Region on that day.

To divert attention on the terrorist acts of the insurgents and to create misunderstanding on the security forces, the illegal destructive media outlets are disseminating the fabricated news.