In Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region, the military is conducting propaganda campaigns with false accusations against People’s Defense Forces (PDF). After armed military personnel robbed a grocery store in Kating village, Myingyan Township, around midnight on May 24, they falsely attributed the incident to PDF forces and began spreading misinformation, according to local residents. The incident involved four armed individuals in military uniforms who entered the store owned by Ko Myo Thu Aung and Ma Hla Hla San, threatening Ma Hla Hla San at gunpoint under the pretense of an official inspection, and forcing her to transfer the day’s earnings, phone cards, and money from her bank account.
During the incident, store owner Ko Myo Thu Aung was not present. Local sources indicate that he is known to collaborate with the military council in illegal vehicle trading operations, which is why no formal complaints were filed about the robbery. Following this incident, the military falsely reported it as a PDF operation and has implemented strict checkpoints around Myingyan’s entry and exit points. Additionally, the military, along with Pyu Saw Htee and militia groups, have been distributing propaganda leaflets throughout the township, falsely claiming that local people oppose the PDF forces. These propaganda materials contain fabricated accusations of PDF forces committing violence, murder, and robbery against civilians.
The current situation in Myingyan Township has led to many young people fleeing either abroad or to other regions, fearing forced conscription and porter duties by the military. Local residents report that the military’s propaganda efforts have created fear among the population while simultaneously increasing public resentment toward the military. The military continues to maintain tight security measures throughout the township while spreading false narratives about resistance forces through their controlled militia groups and supporters.
The propaganda leaflets being distributed attempt to create a false narrative of public opposition to revolutionary forces, but locals report that these materials are being distributed by military-affiliated groups rather than civilians. The military’s actions, including forced conscription and oppression of civilians, have led to a mass exodus of young people from the area, with many seeking refuge either abroad or in other parts of the country. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear and resistance, with locals expressing strong opposition to the military’s presence and tactics in their community.
