State Administration Council Information Team Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun Makes Explanations to Respond to Fake News/Disinformation Spread by Subversive Media Outlets and Ongoing Armed Conflicts

The State Administration Council (SAC) Information Team Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun provided updates on the spreading of fake news and disinformation by subversive media outlets, and the ongoing armed conflicts in the northern Shan State, Kayah State, Rakhine State and Sagaing region up to 22 and 25 November as follows –

• Subversive media agencies have spread rumours of being taken for porter jobs since 21 November. He denied any such actions and the Tatmadaw have not even called veterans and retired police members for services. They also made propaganda news to claim military columns stationed at schools in Yangon.
• The MNDAA formally ordered local people to forcibly serve armed services for one person per household. Moreover, they had recently captured 26 Buddhist monks from Hay Moe Lon Buddha missionary school at Monekoe town and with four of them allegedly recruited forcefully as soldiers. They also fired heavy weapons at 105-mile post and 13 improvised rockets into the Laukkai town.
• AA group took positions at the public houses in Pauktaw town after driving off the locals from their houses. After that, they spread propaganda as if they attempted to evacuate the hostages held by the Tatmadaw.
• Combined forces of MNDAA, TNLA and PDF terrorists launched drop bomb attacks on the import car depot in Kyinsankyawt at the Myanmar-China border trade post. 120 out of 258 cargo trucks were burnt down and destroyed in these attacks.
• On 24 November, 103 teachers, their family members and students from Loikaw University abducted by KNPP insurgents and PDF terrorists arrived back in Taunggyi town and were welcomed by the Tatmadaw officials.
• They were released from being hostages thanks to the statements of condemnation by respective organizations and associations across the country against the terrorists’ acts, and 100 of them reportedly remain in the hands of the terrorists.
• Fire outbreaks occurred at Punna Kyun market in Rakhine State and this was presumed as an arson attack. The AA group is using the local community to create misunderstandings towards the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw, an institution protecting the lives and property of the people, is attacking only the military targets.
• From 16 to 19 November, the combined armed groups of TNLA and so-called PDF terrorists invaded the gas pipeline control station near Zi Pin village in Kyaukme township of Shan State (North) and vandalized the facilities in the control station. The facility is a main link in supplying natural gas and oil to the People's Republic of China.
•  The facility is critical to the pipeline delivering oil and natural gas to the People’s Republic of China. During their stay, the terrorists intentionally carried out sabotage to destroy the control system facility. Therefore, officials from the Ministry of Energy and security personnel had to make repairs and maintenance works in time.
•  Similarly, combined armed groups comprising KNU and PDF terrorists blew up the Myaingkalay-Thahton-Bilin and Myaingkalay-Yangon Natural Gas Pipelines to destroy the electricity access. Due to the sabotages, the electricity distribution to the people in Yangon Region, Mon State and Kayin State had to be reduced. At present, responsible officials are taking prompt measures to repair the damaged pipelines as early as possible.
• The People’s Republic of China will conduct the regular military exercises of the South Military Theatre Command at the China-Myanmar border areas. Myanmar, together with China, is following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and therefore will cooperate with China to ensure peace and security of border areas of the two countries, and two armed forces of the two countries are now in close ties.
• There were engagements at Nansalat, Monekyat, Laukkai, Konekyan, Tar Shwe Htan, Namkhan, (105) mile border trade post in Muse, and Tarmoenye areas in the northeastern part of Shan State. Moreover, clashes at a prison and a fire brigade department in Kayah State, and Tron Ai and Nonebu security outposts in Rakhine State. Furthermore, clashes broke out as terrorists attacked the Bawdi Tahtaung, Yay-U and Aung Tharyar areas in Sagaing region and Htee Hta security outpost in Kayin state.
• KNPP opened fire into the residential wards of non-military targets in the vicinity of Loikaw town of Kayah State. As a result, around ten thousand of IDPs from Kayah state arrived at the Pa-O ethnic areas in the southern part of Shan State adjacent to the Kayah State. At present, shelters and IDP camps are being arranged with the joint efforts of Pa-O locals, PNLO groups and the Government.
• At Naung Po Aung in the northwest of Sagaing region, armed clashes broke out between SNA (Shanni Nationalities Army) and the combined forces of KIA and PDF. KIA and PDFs are creating conflicts between the ethnic groups rather than attacking the Government and security forces. Their actions are obviously towards the utter devastation of the country.
• Regarding the attacks on the import car depot in Kyinsankyawt in Muse, the terrorists instantly spread propaganda news claiming that the Tatmadaw fired heavy weapons at the depot.
• Locals already knew who attacked the car depot and who extinguished the fire outbreak, and there were also witnesses there.
• Successive governments of Myanmar have emphasized the development of the electric sector using various approaches. However, due to the destructive acts of NUG/PDF terrorists and some EAOs such as blowing up the transmission cables and pylons, and drop bomb attacks on electric power substations, the socio-economic conditions of the country encounter unnecessary delays.
• Regarding the ongoing armed conflicts in the country, Major General added that subversive media agencies, receiving assistance from Western countries, are attempting to create misunderstanding between China and Myanmar after the bilateral relations deteriorate. However, Pauk-Phaw relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries will never become weak.

Major-General urged the entire population to join hands with security force members to annihilate the insurgents with the dogma of destruction for the peace, stability, security and law enforcement of the country. 

Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper (26-11-2023)

• Subversive media agencies have spread rumours of being taken for porter jobs since 21 November. He denied any such actions and the Tatmadaw have not even called veterans and retired police members for services.

• The MNDAA formally ordered local people to forcibly serve armed services for one person per household. Moreover, they had recently captured 26 Buddhist monks from Hay Moe Lon Buddha missionary school at Monekoe town with four of them allegedly recruited forcefully as soldiers.
• KNPP opened fire into the residential wards of non-military targets in the vicinity of Loikaw town of Kayah State. As a result, around ten thousand of IDPs from Kayah State arrived at the Pa-O ethnic areas in the southern part of Shan State adjacent to the Kayah State. At present, shelters and IDP camps are being arranged with the joint efforts of Pa-O locals, PNLO groups and the Government.
• 103 teachers, their family members and students from Loikaw University abducted by KNPP insurgents and PDF terrorists arrived back in Taunggyi town.
• The combined armed groups of TNLA and so-called PDF terrorists intentionally vandalized the facilities in the gas pipeline control system station which is critical to the pipeline delivering oil and natural gas to the People’s Republic of China.
• Combined armed groups comprising KNU and PDF terrorists blew up the Natural Gas Pipelines to destroy the electricity access. Due to the sabotages, the electricity distribution to the people had to be reduced.
• Regarding the attacks on the Kyin San Kyauk car depot in Muse, the terrorists instantly spread propaganda news claiming that the Tatmadaw fired heavy weapons at the depot.
• Regarding the ongoing armed conflicts in the country, Major General added that subversive media agencies, receiving assistance from Western countries, are attempting to create misunderstanding between China and Myanmar after the bilateral relations deteriorate. However, Pauk-Phaw relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries will never become weak.