X blocks Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree’s account

SANAA: Social media platform X has reportedly suspended the account of Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, removing an important online channel used to communicate statements and announcements by the Yemen-based group.

The account had more than 121,500 followers and was widely used for posts concerning the Houthis’ military activities and claims of attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

According to the report, visitors to the account were shown an “Account Suspended” notice. X’s standard message on suspended accounts says the platform takes action against accounts that violate its rules.

The specific reason for the suspension was not immediately clear.

Saree has been a prominent public voice for the Houthi movement, frequently appearing in televised statements and issuing announcements concerning military operations. His statements have included claims about attacks on vessels in the Red Sea as well as operations targeting Saudi Arabia and other regional adversaries.

The suspension could therefore affect one of the group’s most visible channels for communicating directly with its supporters and the wider public.

Saree’s online presence has faced restrictions before. His earlier Twitter account was suspended in 2022, after which another account was created for continued communication. Historical reporting also shows that Houthi-affiliated accounts have faced changes to their verification status and other platform restrictions.

The latest reported action comes amid continuing tensions surrounding Yemen and the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks on shipping have drawn international attention. The group has repeatedly said its operations are linked to the wider regional conflict and has issued statements claiming responsibility for attacks against vessels.

The Houthis’ military statements are often closely watched because they provide the group’s own account of operations, although claims about attacks and damage are not always independently verified.

The reported suspension also raises broader questions about how social media platforms handle accounts belonging to armed groups and their spokespeople, particularly when those accounts are used both for political messaging and military announcements.

While the immediate reason for the latest action remains unclear, the removal of Saree’s account could make it more difficult for the Houthi movement to communicate through one of its established social media channels.

For now, attention is likely to remain on whether X provides a specific explanation for the suspension and whether Saree or the Houthi authorities establish another account to continue distributing official statements.