Fact Check-Clip of Kuwait mock military exercise in 2019 shared with false context online

Social media users have miscaptioned a clip with claims that it shows Saudi Arabia’s defense minister being hurried into a vehicle amid disruption outside the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh, where it is claimed he was visiting for Chinese New Year. Instead, the clip shows the Emiri Guards of Kuwait conducting a mock military exercise in 2019 during the fifth Gulf Defense and Aerospace Exhibition.

The clip shows an individual wearing a thobe and keffiyeh stepping out of a black jeep with security personnel alongside him. After the individual walks a short distance, disruption occurs, with loud bangs. The individual is then hurried back to the vehicle.

One user who shared the clip via Facebook on Aug. 27 said: “The video shows the Saudi Defense Minister arriving at the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh, to celebrate the *Chinese New Year*. Apparently, the Chinese forgot to mention to the Saudi Arabian Minister, that there would be *Firecrackers* to welcome him” (here).


THE VERDICT:

Miscaptioned. The clip shows a training exercise that was conducted at the fifth Gulf Defense Aviation Exhibition at the Mishref fairground, Kuwait in 2019.

This article was produced by the WANANCHI INITIATIVE Fact Check team.
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