Uncovering the Shocking Truth: Weapons Dealers in Yemen Using Social Media Platform X to Sell Illegal Arms
In a shocking revelation, weapons dealers in Yemen are openly using the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to sell a range of illegal arms including Kalashnikovs, pistols, grenades, and grenade-launchers. These traders are operating in the capital Sana’a and other areas controlled by the Houthis, a rebel group backed by Iran and designated as terrorists by the US and Australian governments.
Former British Ambassador to Yemen, Edmund Fitton-Brown, who now works for the Counter Extremism Project, has expressed concerns about the involvement of these weapons dealers with the Houthis. He stated that purely private dealers would be quickly shut down if they tried to profit from supplying arms to the government of Yemen.
An investigation by The Times newspaper found that several Yemeni accounts selling weapons on the platform had the blue tick of verification. Despite reaching out to X for a comment, both The Times and the BBC have not received any response. It was also revealed that most of the platform's content moderators were laid off after Elon Musk acquired the company in 2022.
The advertisements for these illegal arms are primarily in Arabic and target Yemeni customers, a country where the number of guns is said to outnumber the population by three to one. The weapons are being offered at prices in both Yemeni and Saudi riyals, with enticing words like "premium craftsmanship and top-notch warranty" used to lure buyers.
These advertisements, showcasing weapons like Yemeni-modified AK rifles and sand-colored Glock pistols, are openly accessible on X, contrary to the usual trading of illegal items on the Dark Web. UK-based NGO Tech Against Terrorism has issued an urgent plea to tech platforms to actively remove Houthi-supporting content on the internet and social media platforms.
The rise of the Houthis in Yemen in 2014 has led to a seven-year military campaign by Saudi Arabia, which has failed to remove them as the country descended into civil war. The recent targeting of commercial and naval shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis, using drones and missiles supplied by Iran, has had a detrimental impact on trade passing through Egypt's Suez Canal.
In conclusion, the open sale of illegal arms on social media platforms like X highlights the dangerous nexus between terrorism, conflict, and technology. It is imperative for authorities and tech companies to take action to prevent the further proliferation of weapons and support peace efforts in conflict-stricken regions like Yemen.