KNLA and non-existent KPMF surrender: Junta propaganda, Karen fighters retort it's a staged drama

AYEYARWADDY TIMES July 16 The propaganda claiming that members of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) participated in the surrender ceremony held at the Aung San Hall of the Southeastern Military Command (Rattha-kha) in Mawlamyine city, Mon State, organized by the military junta, is baseless and fabricated, it has been learned. Furthermore, the Karen Peacekeeping Force (KPMF) mentioned is a fake organization that does not exist on the ground at all, Karen revolutionary fighters have responded. Propaganda media of the military junta, in their reports on July 16, have published photos claiming that 41 members from KPMF and KNLA have come under the legal framework with their weapons and ammunition. The military junta's statement indicated that the individuals who surrendered were 12 from Karen State, 12 from Mon State, 10 from Yangon Region, 4 from Mandalay, 2 from Bago, and 1 from Sagaing Region, totaling 41 people. Regarding the announcement, which was reportedly attended by the military junta's Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Lin Thann, Commander-in-Chief of the Army (Ground) Lieutenant General Kyaw Lynn Maung, and Rattha-kha Commander Brigadier General Thura Zaw Lin Soe, a KNLA fighter on the ground responded that they had no knowledge of it. "KPMF does not exist on the ground in Karen State. There has never been any military activity under this name in any battle or any region, nor have we heard of it. This is just a drama staged by the military to cover up their losses on the ground and to prevent their soldiers from becoming demoralized, by giving a new name and gathering people. It seems they are afraid of being shamed because even the photos of the people who have surrendered are not included," a fighter under KNLA told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. KNLA currently controls many areas on the ground and is the main force attacking the military junta's columns. It is said that the propaganda claiming that the main force inflicting heavy losses on the military junta on the battlefield has surrendered is a dissemination of false information by the military. "We have never heard of KPMF, neither on the ground in Karen State nor among the Karen organizations in the Bago area. There are many comrades in KNLA and KNDO. Which fighter would surrender when the military is being so battered on the ground? " a Karen revolutionary fighter told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Military analysts have stated that the military junta is systematically fabricating and disseminating such psychological warfare disinformation to conceal the military predicament caused by the surrender of bases and battalions, to restore the image of military generals, and to disrupt unity among revolutionary forces. Therefore, revolutionary fighters are urging the public to pay special attention to and scrutinize the military junta's surrender propaganda and false information, and to only refer to reports from reliable revolutionary news sources and independent media. Photo – MOI Caption: The military junta's propaganda ceremony, reportedly held at Aung San Hall