Yemen’s traditional arms trade has evolved into a modern, internet-driven marketplace
Having a high-quality Kalashnikov or handgun has long reflected a man’s social standing in Yemen, while those who do not own weapons are often viewed as belonging to a lower social class. This tradition has been passed down through generations, and even though educated Yemenis may disagree with it, the practice persists.
People interested in purchasing a firearm used to travel from one weapons market to another, sometimes journeying across provinces to find the right piece. Recently, however, weapons dealers have begun using digital marketing, much like sellers of clothing and other civilian goods.
Nashwan Abdulwahed, 39, a pharmacist in Sanaa, decided to buy a specific type of modern Turkish Kalashnikov that is typically owned by the wealthy and priced at $3,000. He visited several stores in the capital and neighbouring provinces but could not find what he was looking for.
"Finally, I decided to look for what I needed in online weapons stores, and I found it with better quality than what was available in the markets, and at a lower price," Abdulwahed told Middle East Eye.
He explained that he agreed on a price with the seller online and then visited their storefront in Sanaa to pick up his Kalashnikov.
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"They offer delivery, but I was hesitant to try delivery for a $3,000 Kalashnikov and preferred to pick it up myself," he said.
Abulwahed added that online stores compete directly with traditional weapons markets, because they usually sell brand-new items and list fixed prices, leaving customers less likely to feel they have been cheated.
"Price negotiation is essential in physical weapons markets, and those who lack negotiation skills usually avoid them. Online stores, however, do not involve haggling, which attracts customers who dislike it."
Social status
Online weapons retailers are licensed by the Ministry of Interior, and sell authorised firearms accompanied by official invoices, while requiring customers to show identification. They adhere to all legal requirements, as weapons trading is not banned under Yemeni law, but regulated.
Yemenis are legally permitted to own personal weapons like assault rifles and handguns, and can carry them in the streets or travel with them between governorates. However, in some southern governorates, local authorities have banned the carrying of weapons in public.
During celebrations, Yemenis typically carry their weapons and fire into the air to express joy. Grooms often carry a Kalashnikov at their weddings, with the model they choose reflecting their social status.
Expert reports estimate that civilians in the country possess between 60m and 85m firearms.
"I am a pharmacist, which means I should have a Kalashnikov that reflects my status in society when I attend social occasions like weddings, or even when I visit relatives in my village," Abdulwahed said.
A video recently went viral on social media, showing soldiers searching Yemenis attending a birthday celebration for the Prophet Muhammad in Sanaa.
Many attendees were carrying Kalashnikovs, leading popular social media personality Islam Fawzy to mockingly ask what the soldiers could possibly be searching for.
However, while carrying Kalashnikovs is legal in Yemen, the soldiers were actually searching for explosive devices and other banned materials.
Browse online, then buy
Saleem, 45, the owner of an online weapons store, has been in the business for over 20 years and said that his customers come from all walks of life.
He opened his online store in 2024 to attract buyers who prefer digital shopping, offering weapons ranging in price from $50 to $8,000.
"If we stayed confined to our physical shop and failed to adapt to new technology and modern methods, we would go bankrupt," he told MEE. "We hired a digital marketing specialist to lead our online strategy and successfully attracted new customers."
Saleem said his business is licensed and operates legally, just like any traditional shop selling jambiyas (traditional daggers), clothing, or other goods.
"We import weapons through legal channels and buy and sell from citizens legally. We are fully permitted to use modern technology to develop our business," he said.
'I'm a pharmacist, which means I should have a Kalashnikov that reflects my status in society when I attend social occasions like weddings'
– Nashwan Abdulwahed, Sanaa
However, he added that marketing on certain social media platforms has been challenging due to restrictions on posting images of weapons, which is why he relies on his direct online store.
Saleem noted that several neighbouring shop owners went bankrupt because they failed to adapt to new technology. Customers no longer want to hop from shop to shop as they used to; instead, they prefer to browse everything online and only visit the physical store for the final purchase, according to Saleem.
"Instead of wasting time travelling between markets and provinces, customers can browse different online stores and head to the market already knowing the price of what they need," he said.
There are also weapon traders who buy and sell unlicensed firearms, weapons without serial numbers, or weapons from unknown sources, all of which are prohibited under Yemeni law.
"Those who operate in the black market do not have online stores, because they are conducting illegal business. We, on the other hand, run a licensed operation and follow all instructions from the authorities," Saleem said.
A source in the interior ministry in Aden, who wished to remain anonymous, said that his staff had not observed any illegal activity by these online weapons stores, adding that the shops are open to the public and make an effort to comply with the law.
“Some stores, whether physical or online, are licensed and follow the law, while others engage in illegal practices. We track those violators to enforce the law,” he told MEE.
“We are Yemenis, and we understand that weapons are used as a cultural tradition, not just for fighting. Our role is to regulate this trade so it remains a tradition without negatively impacting society.”
Weapons valued like gold
Yemenis purchase weapons as a matter of tradition and as a form of financial investment, often selling them when in dire need of money. However, selling a weapon can be a public sign that a person has fallen into poverty and has no other assets left to rely on.
Ameen Saeed, 65, a schoolteacher, bought a Kalashnikov 17 years ago when his salary was stable enough to allow him to save money.
“Unlike other assets, the price of weapons does not depreciate – much like gold, it preserves your money for the future. I purchased my Kalashnikov when I had savings, but today my salary is not enough to cover my family's basic needs, and I had no other savings left besides my rifle,” Saeed told MEE.
Having bought his Kalashnikov for $700, Saeed recently sold it for $1,400, leading him to conclude that investing his money in a firearm was the right financial decision.
Sociologist Fahd Mohammed said weapon ownership in Yemen is deeply rooted in tradition and serves as a point of pride.
"It is virtually impossible to find a wealthy person who does not own multiple weapons at home," Mohammed told MEE.
“Reports suggest there are around 60 million firearms in Yemen, but the real figure is much higher. Some tribal leaders keep dozens of weapons in their homes legally; it is a symbol of pride rather than a tool meant strictly for fighting."
Mohammed also said that Yemenis generally view weapons, like gold, as a stable item of value, largely because demand for firearms remains strong and continues to grow.
"In the past, it was mostly grooms and older heads of households who owned weapons. Today, however, we see young men saving money specifically to buy a weapon so they can establish their own standing in society," he said.
Still, like Saeed, many Yemenis have been forced to sell their firearms, whether inherited from their fathers or purchased during better economic times. Mohammed attributes this directly to the country's severe economic crisis.
“Many Yemenis have already sold off all their assets, including gold and land, leaving their personal weapons as a last resort. In many Yemeni communities, selling your weapon signifies a loss of social status,” he added.
“Owning a weapon means holding a respected position in society, and selling it indicates that your standing has collapsed.”
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