As the turmoil in the Middle East unfolds, social media has become a hotbed for misinformation and propaganda, with conflicts now playing out in the virtual world. One Yemeni social media sensation, who gained fame on TikTok, has seen his videos removed after amassing millions of views while promoting Houthi rebels.

In a video reminiscent of Disney’s swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean, the charismatic Yemeni influencer posed dramatically with the national flag, set to background music, creating an online sensation. Although TikTok banned the video for breaching community guidelines, the influencer’s content continues to thrive on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Dubbed the “Pirate King,” Rashid Al Haddad, with hashtags like #PalestineIsOurCause and #AbuObeida, aligns himself with the military spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades. Despite Houthi rebels disrupting global trade by attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea to support Gaza, comments on his videos are overwhelmingly positive or trivial. Trending under ‘hot Houthi pirate,’ one video alone garnered 11 million views on X, with users praising his looks and even asking where to find these “pirates.”

Comparisons to Hollywood heartthrob Timothée Chalamet abound, and expressions of support for the Houthi cause are mixed with demonstrations in Sanaa attracting millions of views on Instagram.

The influencer, known for posing with an AK-47 in previous posts, now urges his tens of thousands of followers to turn their attention to Gaza. While TikTok banned his account, Al Haddad maintains a significant presence on other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.

Dr. Christine Cheng, a senior lecturer in war studies at King’s College London, notes the strategic use of media by the Houthis, emphasising their advantage in shaping the narrative through social platforms.

These videos surfaced shortly after the US and the UK conducted airstrikes against Houthi bases in response to their attacks on international trade routes. Rishi Sunak, on Monday, asserted the government’s commitment to protecting UK security and aiming to de-escalate tensions in the region.

In a recent update, TikTok reported removing over 1.5 million videos and suspending more than 46,000 livestreams in Israel and Palestine for violating community guidelines, including the promotion of Hamas, terrorism, and misinformation. Globally, tens of millions of pieces of content have been removed, with moderators preventing teen accounts from viewing over 1.5 million videos containing graphic violence.