The report identifies 130 X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business profiles linked to Houthi-controlled areas, especially Sana’a. These dealers advertised high-grade weapons, including American M4 rifles and grenade launchers. Several products were visibly marked with phrases like “Property of US Govt” and bore logos tied to the Houthis. Some dealers even interacted with Elon Musk’s posts, promoting weapons like AR-15s under unrelated tweets. Despite policies prohibiting such activity, many dealers enjoyed the benefits of X Premium, including extended posts, video uploads, and donation features.

In WhatsApp’s case, the catalogue feature was exploited to display weapons alongside pro-Houthi imagery and slogans. Some profiles showcased pistols wrapped in themed skins displaying U.S. landmarks or revolutionary slogans. Though WhatsApp states it reviews business content, the platform failed to detect or act against dozens of active arms-selling accounts until contacted by reporters.

Tech Moderation Failures And Arms Supply Routes

The TTP report accuses both Meta and X of failing to enforce their content policies, particularly after major layoffs in their moderation teams. TTP’s director, Katie Paul, criticized both firms, stating they “have the capital, the tools and the human resources to address this problem, but they’re not doing so.”

Beyond tech policy breaches, the report underscores deeper concerns about how such weapons enter Houthi hands. Taimur Khan of Conflict Armament Research noted that some American weapons may date back to pre-2014 Yemeni military stockpiles, while others appear recently diverted and trafficked through Gulf routes. Additional arms are suspected to come via Iranian support or regional smuggling networks, reflecting the complex web of supply channels in the Yemeni conflict.

In recent months, the U.S. imposed sanctions on a Houthi network accused of acquiring millions of dollars’ worth of Russian arms through the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, further illustrating the global scope of the issue.