The Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) which comprises of the Myanmar
National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA), and the
Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched assaults on junta bases
and outposts in northern Shan on 27 October 2023, under the Operation
1027. It was found that the military, known to regularly ferment ethnic and
religious conflicts in the past, accelerated disseminating hate speech and
propaganda after Operation 1027 had contracted its controlled territories.
Specifically, the junta and pro-military Telegram channels which promote
its actions have intensified their dissemination of hate speech and propaganda
materials with the intention of amplifying ethno-religious tensions in
northern Shan and Rakhine.
As the 3BHA swiftly neutralized and captured territories in northern Shan,
China was portrayed by pro-military telegram channels as being behind the
Operation 1027. Moreover, the MNDAA’s attacks were depicted as an invasion
by a Chinese ethnic group into the territory of Shan people. Following the
commencement of Operation 1027, narratives claiming that foreign groups
such as the Chinese and their ethnic groups, were invading Shan territories
and oppressing the native Shan people gained prominence in the hate
speech and propaganda spread by the junta. Moreover, the junta was also
found to be actively generating hostility by exploiting the existing tensions
among Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), including the MNDAA,
TNLA, Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and (Shan State Progress Party
(SSPP)/ Shan State Army (SSA). The junta also engendered antagonism
between ethnic groups when the AA resumed its assaults on the military,
capturing towns in Chin and Rakhine. Subsequently, the junta fomented
discord between the AA and Chin people in Paletwa as well as spread
disinformation which can cause the deterioration of inter-Chin relations.
Similarly, pro-military telegram channels exacerbated existing ethnic and
religious tensions and conflicts by portraying differences between northern
and southern Rakhine and exploiting tensions between the Arakanese and
other ethnic groups, particularly the Rohingyas.In order to incite conflicts between Burmans and other ethnic groups, a narrative was propagated that
ethnic revolutionary groups’ attacks targeted Burman-Buddhist. According
to junta propaganda, MNDAA was reported to have prohibited Burmans
from entering Laukkaing in northern Shan, outlawing the usage of Myanmar
currency, and destroying the property of Burmans in the town. Additionally,
a video of a person wearing MNDAA uniform smashing a Buddhist pagoda
with a sledgehammer was shared widely on social media. In the face of this
adversity, the junta’s propagandists promulgated the need for Burmans to
stay united and encouraged counter actions such as taking revenge on
Kokang people who had settled in Burman-dominated areas. Similarly,
disinformation claiming that the AA massacred family members of the junta
soldiers fleeing from a sinking military vessel was also spread. Concurrently,
military supporters called for the campaign “to boycott Rakhine monti and
other Arakanese delicacies”, deliberately sowing the seed for Burman-
Arakanese ethnic conflict. Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations were depicted
as exploiting Burman-dominated People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and bent
on destroying Buddhism due to their hatred for it. According to military
propaganda, Burman-Buddhists were urged to knit together against their
enemies as they were the primary target of Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations.
Moreover, Buddhism-based propaganda campaign was initiated to preserve
the nation, religion, and sovereignty. The loss of military outposts and
territories due to the advancement of revolutionary forces was portrayed
as having adverse effects on national security. By highlighting ultra-Burmese
nationalism and centralization ideology, the military was portrayed as an
institution dedicated to protecting the nation, religion, and sovereignty,
appealing the populace to support its actions. Meanwhile, Ethnic
Revolutionary Organizations were depicted as furthering their own interests
rather than those of the nation. This portrayal denigrated the actions of
Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations and entrenched the military’s grip on
power.