A Facebook post featuring a video purporting to show a drone strike by the Somali government against Al Shabaab has been verified as false. The video, shared on September 1, 2026, shows bombs being dropped from a drone, hitting vehicles and people running from the scene. The accompanying text reads, "Alaahu akbar, Kill the Khawaarij, the dogs of Hell." The Somali government refers to Al Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, as Khawaarij.
Upon investigation, PesaCheck used Google reverse image to verify the origin of the video. The results revealed that the video is actually footage of a drone strike in Yemen, not Somalia. The original video was shared by Houthi rebels, who claimed it showed a Saudi military strike in Yemen. Multiple news outlets reported on the strike, including several international sources.
A comparison of the viral video and the original footage showed that they are identical, including the buildings, location, and explosion. However, the viral video had been edited to remove the Houthi flag visible in the original footage. The Somali government has been fighting Al Shabaab, while the internationally recognized government of Yemen and its allies have been battling the Houthi rebels, who receive support from Iran.
PesaCheck, a fact-checking organization based in East Africa, has been working to verify the authenticity of information circulating on social media. The organization, part of the Code for Africa network, aims to combat misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the realm of government finance and public services. PesaCheck's work involves collaborating with social media platforms to flag and debunk false information.
The viral video is part of a series of fact-checking exercises by PesaCheck to verify information shared on Facebook and other social media platforms. The organization works to provide accurate information to the public, enabling them to make informed decisions. PesaCheck's work is crucial in the fight against misinformation, which can have serious consequences, particularly in conflict zones like Somalia and Yemen.
The debunked video highlights the challenges of verifying information in the digital age. With the proliferation of social media, false information can spread quickly, often with serious consequences. PesaCheck's efforts to combat misinformation are essential in promoting a more informed public discourse. By working with social media platforms and other stakeholders, PesaCheck aims to create a safer online environment.
PesaCheck's fact-checking exercise was conducted by Hassan Istiila, with editing by Mary Mutisya and Cédrick Irakoze. The article was approved for publication by Doreen Wainainah, PesaCheck's head of news. The organization's work is supported by Deutsche Welle Akademie and is part of the innovateAFRICA fund.
Key points
- The viral video claiming to show a drone strike against Al Shabaab in Somalia was actually footage of a drone strike in Yemen.
- PesaCheck used Google reverse image to verify the origin of the video.
- The organization works to combat misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the realm of government finance and public services.
