Latest news with #armsdealers
Al Bawaba
17-07-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Houthis linked to dealers selling weapons on X and WhatsApp
Published July 17th, 2025 - 07:59 GMT ALBAWABA - A report recently revealed that arms dealers linked to Yemen's Houthis have been selling weapons using X (formerly known as Twitter) and Meta platforms for years, according to The Guardian. The report by the Washington-based organization Tech Transparency Project (TTP) revealed that some of the weapons being sold were US-made despite the Houthis being marked as a terrorist organization by the US, Canada, and other allied countries. Despite Meta and X's strict social media policies regarding the issue at hand, the weapon trading operations have been running for months, with some organizations operating for years. A new investigation by @TTP_updates shows Houthi-linked arms dealers using X and Meta platforms to sell weapons, in apparent violation of both social media giants' policies. The revelation comes as both companies massively cut back their moderation staff. 👇 — Will Christou (@will_christou) July 16, 2025 Director of TTP Katie Paul said, "X and WhatsApp both have policies against weapons sales but they are allowing arms traders linked to a US-designated terrorist group to traffic weapons on their platforms." She added, "In some cases these companies may be profiting off violations of their own policies that create risks for US national security." The report revealed that most accounts selling weapons were operating from the capital of Yemen, Sanaa, which often shared Houthi-related content. Photos shared by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) During its investigation into the matter, TTP identified 130 X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business accounts operating in Yemen. The accounts sold military equipment, including rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, handguns, and more. Several X accounts also used the platform's tipping features to maximize their profits. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Houthi-linked arms traders using X, WhatsApp to sell weapons: Report
LONDON: Arms dealers linked to Yemen's Houthi militia have been using social media platforms such as X and WhatsApp to sell weapons, according to a new report. The Tech Transparency Project, or TTP, identified hundreds of accounts openly dealing in rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and other military-grade equipment, in apparent violation of the platforms' policies. 'X and WhatsApp are providing an essential platform to Houthi-linked arms dealers selling weapons of war,' the report read. 'The companies have policies in place that prohibit that kind of illicit trade but are allowing it to take place in the open.' TTP called the activity 'a threat to US national security interests,' noting the Iran-backed group is designated as a terrorist organization. The months-long investigation by the Washington-based watchdog, which monitors accountability in Big Tech, found that Houthi-affiliated arms dealers had been running commercial weapons stores on both platforms for months, and in some cases, years. Researchers identified at least 130 Yemen-based X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business accounts advertising military-grade equipment or promoting catalogues of guns for sale. These included US-manufactured weapons — some marked 'Property of US Govt' — and other Western arms labeled with 'NATO.' In one instance, a seller listed four M4 carbines — an assault rifle used by the US military and manufactured by FN Herstal and Colt — and directed buyers to WhatsApp. Another account offered a package deal that included a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles and grenades. Russian weapons, including RPG-7 launchers and AK-47s, also featured prominently. A Soviet RPG-7 was offered for about $1,800, while another account advertised a 'zero mileage' Russian AK-47. Prices for some weapons reportedly reached $10,000, suggesting sales may be intended for other armed groups or insurgents. Many of the accounts displayed allegiance to the Houthi, including photos of weapons in crates marked with Houthi slogans such as 'Death to America, death to Israel.' More than half of the X accounts listed Sanaa — under Houthi control for more than a decade — as their location. Many accounts funneled buyers to WhatsApp business profiles, some of which openly displayed catalogs of rifles and ammunition. A number of these were also linked to Facebook and Instagram accounts, raising further concerns over Meta's enforcement of its firearms policies. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, says it reviews all images submitted to product catalogs, yet researchers found little evidence of enforcement. The company said it had since removed several accounts and claimed it does not profit from this type of activity but declined to answer how the content had bypassed existing filters. 'X and WhatsApp both have policies against weapons sales but they are allowing arms traders linked to a US-designated terrorist group to traffic weapons on their platforms,' said Katie Paul, the director of TTP. 'In some cases these companies may be profiting off violations of their own policies that create risks for US national security.' TTP's findings, which build on a similar August 2024 investigation by The Times, suggest most of the Houthi-linked arms dealer accounts were created or became active following mass layoffs at X and Meta that weakened enforcement capabilities. Many handles had blue ticks and were subscribed to premium services that are supposed to be moderated. Roughly two-thirds of the accounts appear to have posted weapons content in the past six months. 'Both Meta and X have the capital, the tools and the human resources to address this problem, but they're not doing so,' Paul said.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Four people arrested after aircraft vandalised at RAF Brize Norton
Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after two aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, police have said. A second woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Counter Terrorism Policing South East said in a statement: "A 29-year-old woman of no fixed abode, and two men; aged 36 and 24, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. "A 41-year-old woman, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender." Police said the arrests on Thursday in Newbury in Berkshire, and in London, "are in connection with an incident in the early hours of [last] Friday during which damage was caused to two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton". The four people are currently in custody while enquiries are ongoing, police added. Palestine Action said the arrests "further demonstrate that proscription is not about enabling prosecutions under terrorism laws - it's about cracking down on non-violent protests which disrupt the flow of arms to Israel during its genocide in Palestine". The group posted a video online claiming it was behind the vandalism at the Oxfordshire airbase last Friday, saying activists had damaged two military planes at the base. Palestine Action - which focuses its campaigns on multinational arms dealers and has previously - said two activists "broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes". Repurposed fire extinguishers were used to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, while further damage was made using crowbars. "Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene," a statement by the group said. Brize Norton is the largest RAF station, with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. A security review was launched across the "whole defence estate" following the breach, which was condemned as "absolutely staggering" by Ben Obese-Jecty, a Tory MP and former Army officer. Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "act of vandalism" as "disgraceful", adding: "Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday that Palestine Action will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation following the breach at RAF Brize Norton. She said a draft proscription order will be laid in parliament next week, and if passed, it will make it illegal to be a member of, or invite support for, Palestine Action. Proscription can lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years for some offences, although some breaches are punishable with fines. Read more from Sky News: Saeed Taji Farouky, a member of the group, told Sky News the proscription was "completely irrational" and "without precedent". He branded it a "knee-jerk reaction from the government" because the group "was able to humiliate them and show serious flaws in the defences of the RAF base".
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Four people arrested after aircraft vandalised at RAF Brize Norton
Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after two aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, police have said. A second woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Counter Terrorism Policing South East said in a statement: "A 29-year-old woman of no fixed abode, and two men; aged 36 and 24, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. "A 41-year-old woman, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender." Police said the arrests on Thursday in Newbury in Berkshire, and in London, "are in connection with an incident in the early hours of [last] Friday during which damage was caused to two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton". The four people are currently in custody while enquiries are ongoing, police added. Palestine Action said the arrests "further demonstrate that proscription is not about enabling prosecutions under terrorism laws - it's about cracking down on non-violent protests which disrupt the flow of arms to Israel during its genocide in Palestine". The group posted a video online claiming it was behind the vandalism at the Oxfordshire airbase last Friday, saying activists had damaged two military planes at the base. Palestine Action - which focuses its campaigns on multinational arms dealers and has previously - said two activists "broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes". Repurposed fire extinguishers were used to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, while further damage was made using crowbars. "Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene," a statement by the group said. Brize Norton is the largest RAF station, with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. A security review was launched across the "whole defence estate" following the breach, which was condemned as "absolutely staggering" by Ben Obese-Jecty, a Tory MP and former Army officer. Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "act of vandalism" as "disgraceful", adding: "Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday that Palestine Action will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation following the breach at RAF Brize Norton. She said a draft proscription order will be laid in parliament next week, and if passed, it will make it illegal to be a member of, or invite support for, Palestine Action. Proscription can lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years for some offences, although some breaches are punishable with fines. Read more from Sky News: Saeed Taji Farouky, a member of the group, told Sky News the proscription was "completely irrational" and "without precedent". He branded it a "knee-jerk reaction from the government" because the group "was able to humiliate them and show serious flaws in the defences of the RAF base".
