Investigation Reveals Fake Accounts Impersonating Yemeni Figures to Spread Houthi Propaganda

An investigative report has uncovered a sophisticated network of fraudulent accounts on the social media platform X, which are systematically impersonating prominent Yemeni political, military, and tribal figures to disseminate pro-Houthi propaganda.

The investigation, titled "Borrowed Faces" and published by the Yemeni platform "Sadaq," analyzed 15 suspicious accounts. These entities falsely present themselves as supporters of the internationally recognized government or as members of factions opposed to the Houthi militia. In reality, the accounts are utilized to amplify narratives that align with Houthi interests, aiming to erode public trust in government institutions, the national army, and the broader coalition fighting the Iran-backed group.

The report documented numerous instances of identity theft, including accounts masquerading as the son of former President Ibrahim al-Hamdi, the daughter of former South Yemeni President Ali Salem al-Beidh, and the daughter of former leader Abdul Fattah Ismail. Furthermore, the investigation identified accounts impersonating influential figures such as preacher Wasel Abadi and high-ranking military official Major General Yousef al-Sharaji. In each case, the individuals targeted by the impersonators have publicly denied any association with the accounts or the content posted in their names.

The findings highlight a deliberate strategy to leverage the social and political credibility of respected Yemeni figures to lend an air of authenticity to disinformation campaigns. By mimicking the personas of those with national or regional symbolic value, these accounts have successfully garnered hundreds of thousands of views, with some mainstream media outlets inadvertently citing these fabricated posts as legitimate statements from the individuals being impersonated.

Beyond personal impersonation, the report notes that the strategy includes the creation of regional news pages that claim to represent areas under government control. These platforms consistently push Houthi-aligned narratives under the guise of local reporting. The investigation concludes that this "covert influence" poses a significant threat, as it exploits the trust of the audience to sow discord and weaken the cohesion of the anti-Houthi front, urging the public to verify the official social media channels of public figures before accepting information as factual.