Nearly 200 claimed to have surrendered, but only 8 weapons seized; staged event with deserters and captured civilians

The military junta has gathered those captured in battles in Mandalay Region, local youths forcibly detained as guides during military operations, and defectors from some resistance forces, and held a staged ceremony in Mandalay City on September 7, claiming they had "surrendered under the law." Junta-controlled propaganda media reported that 177 male PDF members and 18 female PDF members, totaling 195 individuals, surrendered with weapons and ammunition and were handed over to their parents. However, according to ground military sources, this is a staged event where individuals forcibly taken from villages during military operations, along with those who fled from their units for various reasons, were separately detained and then presented as a group surrender. "It's their usual tactic. They mix the youths they abducted from villages during their operations and promote them as having surrendered under the law. In reality, those who surrender from resistance forces with weapons can be counted on one hand. Looking at the small number of weapons and the number of people in the news, it's clear this is a fabricated staged event," a military source from the central region told the Irrawaddy Times. Although nearly 200 people were said to have surrendered, only seven assault rifles and one homemade gun, totaling eight weapons, were presented. Furthermore, since 184 out of 195 individuals were reportedly unarmed, military analysts believe they are likely captured civilians and army deserters rather than resistance fighters. The ceremony, held at the Yan Aung Myin Hall in Mandalay City, was attended by Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung and Central Command Commander Major General Aung Htay. Those who surrendered reportedly signed pledge forms and received some financial support. The military junta has been continuously conducting propaganda by using army deserters and captured individuals in press conferences and surrender ceremonies to demoralize resistance forces and mislead the public.