The Wall Street Journal published an unverified report claiming Iran-backed Houthi militias demanded a $51 billion payment from Saudi Arabia to end hostilities in Yemen, a figure an investigation by Arab News traces back to an online video featuring a Saudi dissident.
Investigation Traces Viral Fabrication to Social Media Video
- An investigation by Arab News reveals the $51 billion figure originated from a social media video published by Saudi-born dissident Omar Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani on October 24.
- Dr. Rayed Krimly, Saudi deputy minister for public diplomacy, categorized the reports as pure fabrication, noting the Houthi movement has rejected peace efforts and attacked commercial shipping.
- The report follows a series of escalating, unverified financial claims across regional media outlets, including a $1.1 trillion demand reported by a Hezbollah-aligned newspaper and a $200 billion offer cited by Al-Jarida Post.
The Origin of the Figure
The specific financial demand first entered public circulation on October 24. In an Instagram video, Saudi dissident Omar Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani recounted asking an anonymous contact in Sanaa about compensation terms. Al-Zahrani stated on video that his contact wanted 51 billion, 750 million, 644 thousand and 15 riyals to buy qat, before adding that he could not remember whether the sum was quoted in riyals or dollars.
Eleven days later, on November 5, The Wall Street Journal published a print edition report titled Saudis struggle to end hostilities with Houthis.
The article cited anonymous people briefed on the discussions
to present the $51 billion demand as fact. The reported sum equals roughly five times Yemen’s nominal gross domestic product, according to International Monetary Fund data.
| Date | Outlet / Source | Reported Figure | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 3 | Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese newspaper | $1.1 trillion | Unspecified compensation claim |
| October 24 | Omar Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani (Instagram) | $51 billion | Dissident quoting anonymous contact in Sanaa |
| October 26 | Israel Hayom | $1 billion cash | Unnamed diplomatic sources in the Gulf |
| November 2 | Al-Jarida Post | $200 billion | Unattributed online report |
| November 5 | The Wall Street Journal | $51 billion | Anonymous people briefed on discussions |
Saudi Official Denies Unverified Financial Claims on Social Media
Dr. Rayed Krimly, Saudi deputy minister for public diplomacy, issued a categorical denial via X following the publication of the report. Dr. Krimly stated that the claims were pure fabrication by writers or their alleged sources, emphasizing that the Houthi militia caused famine in Yemen and rejected peace efforts.
The Wall Street Journal article arrived amid a broader stream of unconfirmed financial figures circulating across international media platforms. On August 3, a Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese outlet claimed the Houthis demanded $1.1 trillion. On October 26, Israel Hayom published a report claiming Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman flew to Tehran with $1 billion in cash, citing unnamed Gulf diplomatic sources. On November 2, Al-Jarida Post claimed Riyadh offered the group $200 billion.
Editorial Response and Accountability
Three bylines appeared on the Journal's report, including those of Jon Gambrell, deputy chief of the Middle East bureau, and senior Middle East correspondent Summer Said.
When queried about internal verification standards regarding anonymous sources, a Wall Street Journal spokesperson declined to confirm whether journalists had disclosed the identities of their sources to editors, stating only that the publication stands by its reporting.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
