The ship “Galaxy Leader” was hijacked by Huthir rebels in the Red Sea at the end of November 2023, something that has developed into a propaganda success.
Yemenis have flocked to the ship to take selfies on deck, and it has formed the backdrop for Huthi-produced videos of dancing, knives and flapping Yemeni flags, videos that have since spread on social media.
– For the Huthis, this is an opportunity to reach new target groups with their message, and they want to take that opportunity, says foreign reporter Stina Blomgren.
“Tim-Houti Chalamet”
Since mid-January, parts of the web have also been almost obsessed with a man who filmed himself out on the hijacked ship and spread the clips on social media.
He is called “Hot Houti” and “Tim-Houti Chalamet”, due to his alleged resemblance to the actor Timothée Chalamet. At the same time, he has been criticized for “glamorizing the Houthis”, and in mid-January Tiktok shut down his account.
In the video above, you can see an interview with him – and hear the foreign reporter’s analysis of what the Huthi rebels hope to achieve with their efforts on social media.