FACT CHECK: Did Yemen Offer to Send 400,000 Troops to Eliminate Israel on Behalf of Iran?
A post on X claims that Yemen has informed Iran it is prepared to send 400,000 troops to eliminate Israel.
🇾🇪Yemen has informed Iran🇮🇷 that it is ready to send 400,000 troops to eliminate Israel🇮🇱. pic.twitter.com/U1fP0Rmrut
— ZAINABZEHRA🇮🇷🇱🇧🇾🇪🇵🇸 (@ZAINABALI_72) October 20, 2024
Verdict: False
There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Yemen is sending 400,000 troops to eliminate Israel. The claim originates from statements made by Houthi rebels, not the Yemeni government.
Fact Check:
Two U.S. Naval aviators were killed during a training flight after returning from Yemen, according to NPR. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched targeted strikes on underground targets in Yemen, which are controlled by Houthi militants, the Department of Defense announced Oct. 17.
The X post claims that Yemen has announced a deployment of 400,000 troops to Iran in a possible invasion of Israel should it occur. “Yemen has informed Iran that it is ready to send 400,000 troops to eliminate Israel,” the post’s caption reads in part.
However, no credible sources confirm that Yemen has officially offered to send troops to fight Israel. This claim seems to be tied to the Houthis, a militia group in northern Yemen, rather than Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The viral post presents this claim as if it were new information, but similar statements were made by the Houthi rebels as early as April 2024. At that time, the Houthis also declared their readiness to send a large number of troops to support Iran against Israel. (RELATED: Video Shows Algerian Celebration, Not Iranian Attack)
Experts argue that the figure of 400,000 troops is greatly exaggerated and likely propaganda. This suggests that the current claims are likely a continuation of earlier rhetoric rather than an indication of imminent action.
This is not the first time misinformation related to the Israeli conflict has spread online. Similar claims have been debunked, where statements by militia groups or political factions are taken out of context to suggest official governmental action.
