Myanmar junta forms major general-led task force to launch global psychological warfare and disinformation campaign

Mizzima

The Myanmar military junta has established a high-level 12-member task force, led by Major General Aung Myo Thant, to intensify information operations and counter-narratives against revolutionary forces and international media, Myanmar Gazette reported on 27 February.

Officially titled the “Information Sheet Publication and Counter-Information Dissemination Group,” the body was formed in late January 2026 and began its mandate to conduct psychological warfare against armed insurgent groups while refuting unfavourable reports from independent media outlets.

The group is headed by Major General Aung Myo Thant, the junta’s Deputy Minister of Defence, with Brigadier General Soe Nyunt, Deputy Chief of the Training Depot, serving as secretary, and Police Major General Win Bo, Deputy Chief 1 of the Myanmar Police Force, appointed joint secretary.

The 12-member body includes its chair, Major General Aung Myo Thant, along with Major General Aung Khin Thein, Vice Judge Advocate General from the Office of the Judge Advocate General; Brigadier General San Nyo Win, Deputy Director of the Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Directorate; U Aye Kwal, Director-General at the Ministry of Information; and Dr. Thida Tin, Director-General of the Media Development Department.

The statement said the group’s mandate is to “conduct information operations against insurgent organizations that are fighting against the state government through armed means.”

The statement also said the group will publish morale-boosting news aimed at officers and their families, as well as civil servants serving in ministries under the junta.

The statement added that key policy-related reports from state-run daily newspapers will be published in Myanmar, English, Russian and Chinese and distributed to embassies and military attaché offices at home and abroad.

The statement further said the group will use various social media platforms to disseminate information about the Myanmar junta to both domestic and international audiences, and will respond promptly to and refute reports issued by organizations and media outlets opposed to the junta.

Since mid-2025, the junta has also established a body known as the Community Development Committee, tasked with rallying public support for the military while denouncing revolutionary forces through coordinated propaganda efforts.