A recent investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed that Elon Musk’s platform X and Meta-owned WhatsApp are hosting a thriving arms trade linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen.
TTP identified 130 Yemen-based X accounts that were advertising a range of weapons, including high-powered rifles, grenade launchers, and other military-grade arms.
Among the weapons offered by these accounts were items clearly marked as “Property of US Govt.,” raising serious concerns about the origins of the fire arms . While the accounts did not specify how they came into possession of US-branded weapons, such items have been a known source of concern, particularly following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The arms trade extended beyond X. TTP found that several accounts used WhatsApp or Telegram, encrypted messaging platforms, to facilitate direct communication between buyers and sellers.
Among the X accounts involved in this trade was @yeusaf.mm, which identified itself in Arabic as a platform for buying and selling weapons. With over 2,700 followers, the account frequently posted about various weapons, including AK-47-style rifles and a Polish-made AK-47. The account shared pro-Houthi content, including videos from Houthi media and posts celebrating the movement’s military activities.
Another account, @mslslnsln1, also based in Sana'a, advertised a variety of weapons, including Soviet-made RPGs and Turkish-made M4 carbines. The profile image was a logo of a rifle, and posts frequently featured military equipment for sale, with prices and details listed. One of these posts offered AK-47s for about $1,500, indicating the type of weapons on sale and the organized nature of these illegal transactions.
TTP’s findings point to a serious security risk, as these weapons could be used not only by the Houthis but also by other terrorist groups in the region, further exacerbating tensions and undermining international stability.
One such account, linked to the X account @AlqhylyM, offered a range of military equipment, including rifles and accessories, and clearly indicated its location in Sana'a.
While Meta claims it cannot monitor the encrypted content of WhatsApp messages, the company does review business account profiles and images posted to catalogs. However, TTP found that several of the business accounts violated both WhatsApp’s and Meta’s broader policies on firearms sales.
The investigation into X’s role in facilitating the sale of weapons linked to the Houthis is a reminder of the challenges faced by tech companies in regulating content on their platforms. Despite having clear policies against weapons trafficking, X appears to have failed in both enforcement and detection of policy violations
TTP’s report calls for increased accountability from social media giants like X and WhatsApp. These platforms must do more to prevent their services from being exploited by terrorist organizations and arms traffickers.