Yemen-based arms traders are using X and WhatsApp to sell US and Russian weapons: Report

Indian Express

5 days ago

A months-long investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed a sprawling digital arms market operated by Yemen-based traders, many of whom appear to be affiliated with or supportive of Houthi militias. The sellers are leveraging popular digital platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta's WhatsApp Business to market and possibly sell weapons, some of which are believed to be of US or Russian origin.
TTP identified at least 130 Yemen-based X accounts posting photos and videos of rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and US-military-grade equipment openly for sale. Some of these posts included weapons boxed with the Houthi emblem, which reads: 'God is great, Death to America, death to Israel, damnation to the Jews, victory to Islam.'
According to an analysis by TTP, of these accounts, 61 per cent (79) were created after Elon Musk took ownership of X (then Twitter) in October 2022, and 59 per cent (77) have engaged in arms trading on the platform in the last six months.
One account offered AK-47s for approximately $1,500, while another claimed its Yemeni-made AK-47s were 'better than the Russian' versions. A number of accounts featured banner images of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
In total, TTP tracked over 35 accounts offering what appeared to be US-branded weapons, many of which bore markings such as 'PROPERTY OF US GOVT' or 'NATO'.
Among the most frequently listed items were M4 carbines, including models outfitted with 40mm M203 grenade launchers. These rifles, used by the US Army, were shown in high-resolution photos stamped with the Colt's Manufacturing logo and US government markings.
In one instance, a seller listed four such M4 carbines and redirected inquiries to WhatsApp. Another seller offered a similar package, including ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, and grenades, for $10,000.
Higher-end rifles, such as the American-made M6 from LWRC International, were also posted. One account offered the M6 for $8,000, calling it 'a weapon that needs no description'.
Weapons described as Russian, including RPG-7 launchers and AK-47s, also featured prominently. The account @bdllhyy52468696 offered a Soviet RPG-7 for about $1,800, while another trader posted a 'zero mileage' Russian AK-47.
While TTP could not independently verify the origins of these weapons, the US Treasury Department has previously sanctioned Houthi-linked operatives accused of procuring arms from Russia.
X officially prohibits the sale or promotion of weapons, as well as any affiliation with terrorist organisations. Yet many of the accounts identified by TTP remain active and appear to be using premium features.
Over 50 accounts listed themselves under 'professional categories' such as 'Gun Store', 'Shopping & Retail', and 'Commercial & Industrial'. These designations are typically available only to X Professional users, who also gain access to analytics and other tools.
Some of these accounts had 'tip jars' enabled, allowing users to send money, while others posted long-form videos, a feature reserved for X Premium subscribers.
In one case, a trader posted a demonstration of an American M249 SAW light machine gun.
TTP also found that X may be profiting from these posts. The platform served ads in reply threads to posts offering weapons. Advertisers included the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Tesla accessory vendors, and a publication promoting Donald Trump's domestic policy.
The company states it does not allow ads to be placed near unsafe or policy-violating content, but TTP found no evidence of enforcement.
More than half of the X accounts linked to WhatsApp Business profiles. These profiles often made little effort to conceal their nature. TTP found 69 WhatsApp accounts linked to arms sales, and 28 of those explicitly stated they were weapons stores.
WhatsApp Business allows users to display product catalogues. TTP found 17 accounts that used this feature to showcase guns, including US-stamped equipment.
One account displayed four high-powered SVD sniper rifles with a caption in Arabic: 'The heavy caliber has arrived.' Another listed a Glock pistol with a skin showing American landmarks and patriotic slogans.
Meta, too, prohibits the sale of firearms on its platforms and says it reviews all WhatsApp catalogue images before they go live. However, TTP's findings suggest that oversight may be lacking.
One account listed a catalogue featuring dozens of weapons and linked directly to a Facebook page selling similar arms. Another showed a photo of Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat firing a rifle.
Meta says it cannot read messages due to end-to-end encryption but does review profiles and business account listings.
TTP had reached out to both X and Meta and while the former did not respond, the latter had declined to comment.