Misleading Video Shared as Recent Saudi Intercepted Missiles
The Claim
A video depicts missiles launched by Yemen and intercepted by Saudi Arabia in Dammam.
News posted on
Emerging story
MENA: A video that depicts missiles in the air launched by Yemen is circulating online. Users alleged the video shows missiles sent by Houthis in Yemen to target the Aramco oil production sites. The video was also shared by verified users, including in Arabic by Yemeni politician Yaser Al Yaman.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: Saudi Arabian forces indeed intercepted three missiles believed to have been launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting Dammam and particularly Aramco. Yet, the video does not depict the incident. According to credible news sources, the interception occurred on Saturday the 4th of September, but the video was uploaded before then.
Aurora Intel had written a thread and uploaded the video on their Twitter account on the 3rd of September, pictured below.
It was reported that the video was of Israeli launched missiles into areas near Damascus, Syria. Israelis were targeting “scientific research centers” and alleged sites where Iran is developing weapons, surrounding Barzeh and Jamraya, close to the Tal region near Damascus, as seen below.
The Syrian forces managed to intercept some of the missiles, but one missile did reach its target.
Given the proximity of the two incidents, the video was linked and shared as the Saudi interception. However, it was also used on social media to spur already-high tensions by politicians without verifying the claims. Based on the findings, Saudi Arabia did intercept missiles, and the video is unrelated to that incident.
