Fact-check shows viral videos misrepresent Houthi attacks, using drill footage and unrelated fire clips

A video circulating on X that purported to depict Houthi rebels ambushing Saudi‑backed mercenaries has attracted millions of views, but the footage has been debunked as unrelated military drills. FRANCE 24 Observers determined that the clip originates from a 2024 Houthi training exercise and was later altered with football commentary and blurred flags. The original flags, which were obscured in the edited version, displayed the emblems of Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States, not those of Saudi Arabia as the post claimed.

Additional viral videos that were linked to recent Houthi attacks on a Saudi Aramco refinery have also been proven false. Investigations traced the alleged attack footage to separate incidents—a fire in Texas and another blaze in Russia—none of which involved Houthi forces. The fact‑check, conducted by Vedika Bahl for Truth or Fake, underscores the prevalence of misattributed content online and highlights the need for careful verification of visual claims in conflict reporting.