Exploiting Ethnic Conflicts in Attempt to Consolidate Military Control
4.2 Exploitation by the Junta
Following the onset of Operation 1027, pro-military Telegram channels
portrayed the MNDAA’s combat activities as “an invasion by Chinese
descendants who cannot speak Burmese or do not use Myanmar currency”.
Additionally, this invasion was framed as the territorial reclamation of
Chinese people in accordance with their ancient Chinese map. The channels
incited Chinese-Myanmar conflicts by urging Myanmar people to be wary
of this invasion and to protect their territories. Ultranationalists who support
the military held protest events, urging China not to be involved in the
northern Shan conflicts. In these events, Burmese-nationalist symbols such
as Burmese language, Myanmar flag, and Buddhism were used extensively.
The MNDAA were also accused of discrimination and oppression targeting
Burmans. The channels also triggered Chinese-Myanmar conflicts by claiming
that only Chinese and other ethnic people were accepted in Kokang while
Burmans were not welcomed; only Chinese Yuan is recognized as the sole
currency; and that Chinese is forcibly used as the conducting language in
schools”. These claims were also depicted as the destruction of cultures
and values of native people, employing the distinction between Chinese
and Burmans as well as native and non-natives.
After the video of an individual in MNDAA uniforms smashing a pagoda with
sledgehammer went viral on social media, pro-military Telegram channels
perpetuated ethnic and religious tensions by spreading the video. During
January 2024, pro-military ultranationalists condemned the MNDAA
throughout the country. They also disseminated hate speeches delivered
by ultranationalists, Naymingyi Sayardaw from Pa-O region and U Wasawa
from Sagaing’s Kanbalu, who leads militias. Pro-military Telegram channels
claimed that “more than 200,000 monks had already enlisted to receive
military training” to compel young people to accept military conscription.
Furthermore, Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations were depicted as heretics
and threats to Buddhism. They also highlighted the allegations that the
MNDAA’s leaders ordered to wipe out Burmese cultures and Buddhism in
their controlled areas. The disunity of Burmans fueled the MNDAA’s actions
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