False claims spread online after Iran missile attack on Iraqi airbases
Iran state TV claims ‘terrorists’ killed as agency in Kuwait says its false news was result of hack
Iran state TV claims ‘terrorists’ killed as agency in Kuwait says its false news was result of hack
Iran’s missile attacks on two Iraqi airbases have been accompanied by a spread of online disinformation, falsely labelled images and claims of news sources being hacked, which have added to jitters in the region regarding the attacks.
Iranian state television said on Wednesday that at least 80 “American terrorists” were killed, despite the US making clear that it had not sustained any casualties as a result of rocket attacks on Iraqi military bases hosting American troops.
Iran has a long history of running state-backed disinformation campaigns which attempt to influence opinion overseas, with Facebook regularly banning Iranian pages it believes are spreading false and divisive material aimed at audiences in the US and UK.
The initial report had said Kuwait’s defence minister had received a letter from a US commander “declaring imminent withdrawal of all US military forces in three days.
“Receiving such [a] letter from Camp Arifjan was unexpected and we are communicating with US Department of Defense for more details and information,” Kuna initially reported the minister as saying, before swiftly retracting the story.
Many appear to be posting dramatic material that will gain followers and shares from social media users looking for real information, who are unaware they are helping to spread false footage.
There has also been unsubstantiated online speculation regarding the crash of a Boeing 737-800 operated by Ukraine International Airlines. The plane crashed early on Wednesday morning shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew.
Iran has refused to hand over the black box from the plane to the US manufacturer, adding to speculation over the crash, which occurred only hours after the missile attack on Iraq.
