The hashtag “falseflag” is used to describe events that people believe are deceptive covert operations carried out by a government pretending to be targeted by an enemy while committing acts of terrorism on their own forces or people.
The recent turmoil in Syria left many people wondering who truly carried out the chemical attacks.
The Russian government claimed that the attacks were carried out by radical islamic jihadists in an attempt to frame the Assad regime.
Putin claims more #FalseFlag chemical attacks are being planned in #Syria by the Jihadis to frame #Assad pic.twitter.com/OAwmKjSAWS
— Ian56 (@Ian56789) April 11, 2017
Some were not convinced by President Putins claims and instead placed blame within the Russian government.
The whole #SyriaGasAttack and rapid U.S. response reeks of a Putin play.#SyriaStrikes #Putin #Trumprussia #FollowTheFacts #falseflag
— David Thyssen (@davidthyssen) April 7, 2017
The debate continued with some individuals claiming that Assad attacked his own people, and others claiming the U.S. government arranged the attack.
@Sanddragger This was set up by USA CIA
Trump knew it was a #FalseFlag arranged as a pretext to attack SyrianArmy who were fighting US backed terrorists pic.twitter.com/z19Rznr9R4— Nardeep Pujji (@AWAKEALERT) April 7, 2017
While some used the hashtag to voice their opinion, others used as a way to start a conversation on the attacks for further clarification.
@1a @TBowmanNPR @yjtorbati @yochidreazen How about we admit that it's just as likely that rebels gassed their own people as it was Assad foolishly used chemical weapons. #FalseFlag
— Progressive Rebel (@ProgRebel) April 7, 2017
.. no wonder why so many are frustrated.. confused.. #FalseFlag ? #SyriaHoax ?
— MatDJ_Sirius_Pulstar (@SiriusMatdj) April 7, 2017
This hashtag highlights how social media has enabled average citizens to become the 4th estate. Social media is becoming a major source of government fact checking and an outlet for political and social thought. Hashtags like “falseflag” hold government entities accountable for their actions by starting widespread public conversations on controversial topics that force politicians account for their behavior.
#Bolivia ambassador showing the summary of #SyriaStrikes #SyriaGasAttack in one picture. #Syria #ChemicalAttack #falseflag #SecurityCouncil pic.twitter.com/STRPFOtbQI
— Syrian Generation (@SARReport) April 7, 2017