A video showing a protest or gathering with people holding flags and smoke rising in the background is being circulated with claims that U.S. fighter jets are bombing Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, during protests against Israel’s war on Gaza. However, these claims are misleading. In reality, U.S. airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in Sana’a following attacks on American warships. The strikes were unrelated to any protest or rally depicted in the video.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) @redstreamnet wrote, “NOW: US fighter jets are bombing Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, just as millions have gathered in the streets to protest Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.”
Several other users and Influencers have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @wallacemick, @ArmandoMema.
The truth about the video shared as U.S. fighter jets are bombing Yemen’s capital, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the incident. We found that the attack was not related to the protest against the war in Gaza.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search of some key frames from the viral video using Google Lens and a relevant keyword search. These actions led us to media reports containing the visuals.
According to the media reports (1, 2), U.S., Israel and Britain airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in Sana’a following attacks on American warships. The strikes were unrelated to any protest or rally depicted in the video.
Additionally, we found an official statement of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stating On Dec. 30 and 31, U.S. Navy ships and aircraft targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV). These facilities were used in Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In addition, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft destroyed a Houthi coastal radar site and seven cruise missiles and one-way attack UAVs over the Red Sea.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the attack was not related to any protest against the war in Gaza.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 10, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video depicting a protest or gathering with people holding flags shows smoke in the background, suggesting possible conflict,explosions, or military action.The video is being shared with the claim that U.S. fighter jets are bombing Yemen's(1/3) pic.twitter.com/EwJGdlQeuC
Intent
Influencers are circulating videos from Yemen with misleading claims to set their narrative to defend terror activities.
Conclusion
Claim– The U.S. fighter jets are bombing Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, because of protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Fact– The U.S., Israel and Britain airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in Sana’a following attacks on American warships.
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