BBC investigation uncovers foreign networks spreading sectarianism, hate in Syria
A BBC investigation has revealed a network of foreign-operated accounts on the X platform actively stoking sectarianism, spreading hate speech, and disseminating misinformation about the situation in Syria.
The coordinated and systematic campaigns targeted the Syrian government and certain minority groups, coinciding with the country’s recent political shifts.
The BBC’s fact-checking team tracked the activity of these accounts by analyzing over two million posts related to Syrian events since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. A sample of more than 400,000 posts on X (formerly Twitter) was examined, uncovering widespread disinformation and hate speech campaigns from both critics and supporters of Syria’s new administration.
The investigation exposed manipulative tactics, including the use of automated bots, fake accounts, and algorithmic exploitation to dominate online discourse. Common strategies included synchronized posting, recycling old content, and fabricating narratives to sway public opinion.
Incendiary videos, targeted disinformation
The BBC identified 50,000 posts containing false or unverifiable claims against Syria’s new administration. Analysis showed 60 percent of these originated from accounts geolocated outside Syria, particularly in Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran. For instance, on March 9, multiple accounts spread a false claim that a priest from Mar Elias Church was executed by “Jolani’s gangs.” Identical posts with the same wording and images flooded X within an hour, exploiting the platform’s algorithm to gain traction. The church later debunked the claim.
Another tactic involved reposting old, unrelated videos misrepresented as recent events. In December 2024, a widely shared video falsely claimed to show a man destroying a statue of the Virgin Mary, blaming “Jolani’s gangs.” The video, which garnered thousands of views via accounts geolocated in Iraq was traced back to 2013 and had no connection to recent events.
Coordinated manipulation tactics
The accounts displayed clear signs of coordinated manipulation, such as simultaneous posting and sharing identical content, suggesting the use of bots or organized campaigns. Many accounts followed numerical naming patterns, like “Qasif 1,” “Qasif 2,” and “Qasif 3,” or used random strings of letters and numbers—a hallmark of bot networks. These tactics aimed to flood discussions with repetitive, targeted posts.
Inciting violence against minorities
The investigation also exposed a network of accounts spreading hate speech and incitement against Syria’s Alawite minority. Since November 2024, approximately 100,000 comments from accounts geolocated in Saudi Arabia and Turkey contained derogatory and inflammatory language targeting Alawites, using terms like “Nusayris,” “kuffar” (infidels), and “Alawite clique.” The term “kuffar” appeared in over 50,000 comments, while “criminals” was used in 48,000 comments, often accusing Alawites of being “gangs” or inciting explicit calls for violence.
These accounts followed identical posting patterns, publishing similar content in short timeframes to overwhelm X discussions. Many were interconnected, using repetitive language and random alphanumeric usernames, indicating they were likely fake accounts created for specific propaganda purposes.
