Photos of large crowds have been circulating on Facebook, accompanied by a claim that Palaung ethnic people held a rally demanding that the Kokang armed group, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), leave their territory and expressing opposition to its presence.
A page called ‘We Are Ta’ang’ began circulating the claim on March 20, and it has since garnered more than 1,500 reactions and over 100 shares.
We Are Ta’ang Facebook - https://shorturl.at/1L21J
Fact-checking:
Shan Herald verified the photos in the post and confirmed that they were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
In the photos, the placards display text in identical size and font, with some spelling errors, while people’s fingers appear irregularly formed and their postures look unnatural—clear signs that the images were generated using AI.
Shwe Phee Myay and other independent media organizations based in northern Shan State have not reported any large-scale protests against the MNDAA.
Therefore, the originators of such reports are likely seeking attention by spreading misinformation or attempting to incite ethnic tensions.
It is true that the MNDAA has been involved in clashes in northern Shan State with the Palaung armed group, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), over territorial disputes. Exploiting this conflict between the two armed groups, efforts have emerged to sow division between the two ethnic communities.
TNLA flag raised again at Muse 105-Mile trade zone - https://shorturl.at/ahkGX
Ceasefire agreement reached between TNLA and MNDAA - https://web.facebook.com/reel/2973809642810449
Conclusion:
The photos and information shared on Facebook are fabricated, intended to sow division between ethnic communities and fuel tensions between the armed groups.
Social media users should contact reliable media agencies and fact-checking organizations to verify whether the information they encounter is true or false.
Readers and viewers are encouraged to consult verified fact-checking results from reliable fact-checking organizations.
