3.1.3 EXAGGERATION OF ACTIONS The same March 2026 statement also highlighted scam operations in Shan State and credited the military for dismantling the scam compounds in that area. While this crackdown did occur and the Myanmar military did participate in it, the statement leaves out pertinent details. It excludes China’s role, Operation 1027’s Three Brotherhood Alliance, and other actors that were central to the crackdown. For example, China’s police force was on the Shan State border, taking into custody Chinese citizens who were handed over by Wa State police. This narrative is important to highlight because it shows a pattern of how the state is presenting itself as the main driver of the enforcement, while excluding and downplaying the influence of other actors. 4​ EVIDENCE FROM SHWE KOKKO 4.1​ “YATAI NEW CITY” GROWTH Satellite imagery shows that Shwe Kokko grew rapidly between 2017 and early 2026, becoming a large developed area spanning approximately 8-9 square kilometres (figure 4). This figure does not include related developments nearby, including a water park, farm, shooting range, and a golf course under construction. Figure 4: [Left] 3 May 2017 satellite imagery compared to early 2026 satellite imagery [Right] shows an expansion of Shwe Kokko (satellite imagery source 2017: © CNES / Airbus, Unknown date: © Apple Maps, 2026, Maxar Technologies). Shwe Kokko’s rapid expansion into the size of a city makes it a significant site for scrutiny, especially given the detailed public reports of abuse and criminal activity tied to it. Therefore, it is not surprising to learn that over 322 buildings were reported as illegal in the Myanmar military’s statement on 26 May 2026, but despite this, only 77 buildings were marked for demolition. The following sections examine the crackdown series and the discrepancies in how it was carried out. www.info-res.org​ ​ ​ www.myanmarwitness.org ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​​ �� ​ ​ ​ 9