The rampant sale of weapons by Yemeni weapons dealers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has raised serious concerns about the availability of firearms and grenades in the war-torn country. These traders, operating in the capital city of Sana’a and other Houthi-controlled regions, are openly advertising and selling a variety of weapons including Kalashnikovs, pistols, grenades, and grenade-launchers. The global community has expressed alarm over the ease with which these deadly weapons can be purchased, especially considering the role of the Houthi rebels in the ongoing conflict.
It is important to note that the Houthi rebels are recognized as a terrorist group by the US and Australian governments and are backed by Iran. This connection raises serious questions about the involvement of the rebels in the weapons trade happening on social media. The former British Ambassador to Yemen, Edmund Fitton-Brown, who is currently working for the Counter Extremism Project, has suggested that the weapons dealers are likely operating on behalf of the Houthis. He argues that if these were purely private dealers trying to profit by supplying weapons to the government of Yemen, they would be swiftly shut down.
The issue of weapon sales on social media platforms like X is further exacerbated by the fact that many of the Yemeni accounts involved in the trade have been verified, indicated by the blue tick on their profiles. This verification gives the impression of legitimacy and can attract a larger customer base. The Times newspaper and the BBC have attempted to contact X for comment on this matter, but have not yet received a response. It is worth noting that X recently underwent significant changes in its ownership, with Elon Musk acquiring the company in 2022. Consequently, most of the platform’s content moderators were laid off, potentially allowing illicit activities like the sale of weapons to thrive.
Advertisements for weapons on X are primarily in Arabic and target Yemeni customers. Yemen is known for its high number of firearms, often said to outnumber the population by three to one. The prices for these weapons are usually listed in Yemeni and Saudi riyals, making them accessible to potential buyers. The advertisements use enticing language to attract customers, emphasizing “premium craftsmanship and top-notch warranty.” Some examples even showcase demonstration videos, with sellers firing off rounds of ammunition to showcase the weapon’s capabilities. The availability and visibility of these advertisements on X is concerning, as they are not hidden in the depths of the Dark Web where illegal items are typically traded, but rather openly accessible to millions of people.
In response to this issue, UK-based NGO Tech Against Terrorism has made an urgent plea for tech platforms to take proactive measures in removing Houthi-supporting content from the internet and social media platforms. This call for action recognizes the responsibility of tech companies in preventing the spread of violent and illegal content, particularly when it contributes to ongoing conflicts and poses a threat to global security.
The Houthi rebels rose to power in Yemen in 2014, overthrowing the UN-recognized government. Despite a seven-year military campaign led by Saudi Arabia, the Houthis have maintained control and the country has descended into a brutal civil war. The rebels possess an extensive arsenal of drones and missiles, many of which have been supplied by Iran. In recent years, the Houthis have targeted commercial and naval shipping in the Red Sea, claiming it is in support of Palestinians in Gaza. However, numerous reports indicate that these attacks have targeted vessels with no connections to Israel. The inability of the US-led maritime force offshore to halt the Houthi attacks has had devastating consequences for trade passing through Egypt’s Suez Canal, further exacerbating the impact of the ongoing conflict in the region.
In conclusion, the open sale of weapons on social media platforms like X by Yemeni weapons dealers, seemingly operating on behalf of the Houthi rebels, raises serious concerns about the availability and proliferation of firearms and grenades in Yemen. The ease with which these weapons can be purchased, coupled with their open visibility on verified accounts, highlights the urgent need for tech platforms to take responsibility and actively remove content that supports illicit activities and contributes to conflicts. This issue is further exacerbated by the ongoing civil war in Yemen and the Houthis’ possession of advanced weaponry supplied by Iran. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort from governments, tech companies, and international organizations to prevent the continued spread and availability of weapons that perpetuate violence and undermine global security.
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