Yemeni interior ministry warns liberated areas of Houthi misinformation texts
Yemen's interior ministry has warned residents in liberated provinces, especially Taiz and Hodeidah, about deceptive Houthi messages sent via mobile networks.
Key Takeaways
AIA security source at Yemen's Ministry of Interior has warned citizens in liberated provinces, particularly Taiz and Hodeidah, about Houthi messages sent through the 'Yemen Mobile' and 'YOU' networks, which include invitations described by the militia as 'amnesty and return.'
According to a ministry statement, the source cautioned against being drawn into a campaign by the Houthi militia, which is sending text messages using the two networks it seized after its 2014 coup. These messages contain what the militia calls 'amnesty and return' offers.
The security source stressed that these messages are part of a systematic psychological warfare and misinformation campaign aimed at influencing citizens, undermining morale, and exploiting their circumstances. The Houthis are using telecommunications networks to further their plans, attempting to lure citizens and obtain information and data under pressure, which could be exploited for security purposes.
The source urged Yemeni citizens not to be misled by these messages or respond to their content, not to call the numbers provided, or share any personal information. He also advised against redistributing or circulating the messages, as they are part of a misinformation and psychological warfare campaign targeting society.
The source also called on relevant authorities in the telecommunications and information technology sector to act swiftly and responsibly to address the exploitation of telecom and internet networks by the Houthi militia. He urged them to take the necessary legal and technical measures to protect citizens and prevent the use of telecom services for misinformation and entrapment campaigns targeting Yemenis in liberated provinces.
The source warned of the dangers of falling victim to the Houthis' deceptive tactics, noting that previous cases have shown that responding to such invitations can have dire consequences. Some victims have ended up in militia prisons, where they were subjected to torture, abuse, and enforced disappearance.
He called on Yemenis to remain highly vigilant and not to be deceived by such Houthi messages, stressing that public awareness and alertness are the first line of defense in protecting society and countering the misinformation, entrapment, and psychological warfare waged by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.