➔ The Framing of Rohingya as ‘Bengali Intruders’ or ‘Illegal Outsiders or Immigrants’ The AA, Myanmar military, and some local Buddhists actively use both misinformation and disinformation as propaganda tools. They spread rumours claiming that Rohingyas are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Labeling them as ‘illegal immigrants or Bengali outsiders’ has allowed armed actors like the AA to rationalize brutal policies. In addition to their own violence on the community, this propaganda serves a function like inciting local Buddhist populations against the community, fabricating moral justifications for persecution. The purpose of this propaganda is to dehumanize the community, justify violence, and gain support from the local population by portraying them as a threat. This misinformation strategy increases hatred, and worsens the ongoing violence and discrimination. For instance, Shamshudin (Name Changed), in his testimony, has witnessed significant anti-Rohingya propaganda from both the AA and the Myanmar military. He narrates that they “spread false narratives that portray us as terrorists, illegal migrants, or threats to national security. The Myanmar military, in particular, has labeled us as extremist outsiders to justify their persecution, including forced displacement, killings, and destruction of our homes. Similarly, the AA spreads propaganda that accuses us of collaborating with the Myanmar government or opposing their cause. This misinformation fuels discrimination and violence against us, making it increasingly difficult for us to live in peace. The propaganda is part of a larger effort to erase our identity and justify the ongoing atrocities against our people.” The homogenization of Muslims as uncivil, barbaric and a threat to Buddhist civilization, and of to the Buddhists, or to the AA as a unit – A study of the website content of the AA and General Twan Mrat Naing’s social media posts found that they portray Rohingya Muslims as threats and describe them as outsiders, extremists, not to be trusted or deceptive. Organizations like the AA claim the large diverse group of Buddhists is united irrespective of ethnic barriers, against a threat posed by this outsider community. The online and offline narratives compound the homogenization polarization rhetoric by adjoining the calls for Buddhist unity with the framing of Rohingya Muslims as threats to Buddhists and the Buddhist Rakhine nation. Rohingyas are considered the most dangerous and are pursuing all kinds of activities against Buddhists. In online spaces, AA proponents continuously refer to the Rohingya as ‘Bengalis’. General Naing, 84