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A video has recently been circulated on social media platform Facebook claiming that a video message was sent from the United Nations security forces stating that if political stability is not restored in Bangladesh within the next 15 days and if former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not reinstated in power, a ban will be imposed on the participation of Bangladesh Army in peacekeeping missions. The post further claimed that the United Nations made such a decision due to Sheikh Hasina’s forced removal from power, the widespread presence of militants in Bangladesh, and allegations of politicisation within the army.

Fact-check
Rumor Scanner Team’s investigation found that the claim of the United Nations sending a video message warning of banning Bangladesh Army from participating in peacekeeping missions is not correct. In fact, a video of a press briefing by the US Army regarding the recent shooting incident at Fort Stewart, one of the largest US military bases, was spread with this claim.

At the beginning of the investigation, Rumor Scanner reviewed the discussed video. At the top left of the video, the logo of the US media Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS News) can be seen.

In the video, a person can be heard saying:

“We have identified the alleged shooter as Sergeant Cornelius Radford. He is an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the Second Brigade Combat Team. Sergeant Radford had not previously been deployed in combat. He has been questioned by the Army Criminal Investigation Division and is currently in pre-trial detention, awaiting a decision on charges from the Office of Special Trial Counsel. At this moment, our primary focus is first to carry out…”

An inconsistency can be observed between the content of the video and the claim mentioned in the post’s title.

Later, through reverse image search of several key frames of the discussed video, the original video was found on CBS News’ Facebook page, published on 7 August.

From the video’s title it is known that a shooting incident occurred on Wednesday, 6 August, at Fort Stewart, a military base located in Georgia, United States, in which five soldiers were shot. In this incident, 28-year-old automated logistics sergeant and member of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team Cornelius Radford was identified as the accused. From the title it is also known that the person speaking in the video is Fort Stewart’s commander Brigadier General John Lubas. Quoting Lubas, the title mentioned that the shooting took place in the area of the Fort’s combat team. However, the title also mentioned that all the injured soldiers are now out of danger. The same issue can also be heard being discussed in the video.

Later, through keyword search, the full video of that day’s press briefing was found on CBS News’ website. In that, the person in the video was not heard talking about any other issue except the Fort Stewart shooting incident. That means, the discussed claim has no connection with the video of the press briefing.

Furthermore, through keyword search, no information was found in media or any reliable source about the United Nations sending such a video message with the mentioned claim to Bangladesh Army.

Therefore, a video of a press briefing regarding a shooting incident at a US military base is being spread with the claim that the United Nations sent a video message stating it would ban Bangladesh Army from participating in peacekeeping missions; which is completely false.

Sources

• CBS News Facebook Page Post
• CBS News Website: Officials give update on Fort Stewart shooting, all victims expected to survive
• Rumor Scanner’s Analysis