Wrote: Fatbardh Dema
Content is circulating on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram claiming that former US General Austin Miller has made a statement about former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi.
This content was found published on Facebook by the portal page "Botasotere.com" (The New World Today), on the official website of the former deputy mayor of Pristina, Selim Pacolli, and other pages like "Drenica Press","Kosovalb.com","Drenica","Fresh Info","Albanews24","News”And“al_press.online" on Instagram.
What does this content say?
Austin Miller, US Army General
Kosovars, when they see the war in Iran, should remember Thaçi and the difficulties they have gone through. Vision was Thaçi's strongest weapon, he built the alliance with the US and NATO and removed the boot of the occupier from Kosovars.
The truth?
After fact-checking by hibrid.info, it was confirmed that this content is false. The same has not been found published in any credible local or international media.
Hibrid.info has searched Google regarding this statement. In Albanian, this content was not published in any credible media, except on the above-mentioned sites (here). While in English, the results do not show any reporting regarding this statement (here).
Who is Austin Miller?
Miller is a United States Army general and former commander of the elite Delta Force unit. He served as the last commander of the NATO Resolute Support mission and United States Forces in Afghanistan from September 2, 2018, to July 12, 2021.
He previously served as commander of the Joint Special Operations Command from March 30, 2016 to August 2018.
He participated in many combat operations, such as the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 and, since 2001, in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Miller retired from the Army in December, having relinquished command in July 2021. He currently serves on the advisory board of Striveworks and the board of directors of Workhorse. (here)
Analyze
Content is circulating on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram claiming that former US General Austin Miller has made a statement about former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi.
After verifying the facts, it turned out that this statement is false. There is no evidence that it was made or published by Miller, as it is not found in any credible local or international media.
Internet searches (Google), both in Albanian and English, do not reveal any credible reporting of such a statement.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this content as "Fake News".
rationale
The “Fake News” rating is given to informational content that is entirely fabricated or that contains factually incorrect claims or information. Content that is rated as fake news can be defined as having been created and distributed with the intent to misinform the public, i.e., to present a claim that is completely false as fact.