The highest number of online incitements to violence targeted Sagaing, with 53
calls for attacks by ground or airstrike. Following were Shan State with 48
instances, Rakhine State with 38, Chin State with 18, Kachin and Mandalay each
with 17, Karen with 8, Bago with 5, Magway with 4, Tanintharyi with 2, and
Karenni with 1.
In many cases, incitement posts targeted multiple regions within a single
statement. Some posts were not specific to an exact location, using vague language
like “Now the people’s hearts ignite to launch heavy bombings on the Karen
National Union (KNU) headquarters, which is exploiting the Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement (NCA) with empty promises, producing terrorists, and destroying
Myanmar.” A total of 27 such incitements provided no specific locations.
DVB Fact Check found that real-world airstrikes, offensive attacks, and arson
incidents frequently occurred following these online incitements, directly
corresponding to them. This has been verified through reports from independent
and trusted news agencies.
Patterns indicate that incitement on pro-military Telegram channels tends to
increase, particularly when resistance forces gain the upper hand in battles or
during periods of heightened conflict.
-8-