The Iran-backed Houthis have once again found themselves at the center of controversy after Sanaa University, under their control, announced that Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the so-called Supreme Political Council, had been awarded a master’s degree with honors. The move has triggered widespread ridicule among Yemenis, who took to social media to mock the legitimacy of the degree.

According to pro-Houthi media and activists, al-Mashat’s thesis, titled “The September 21 Revolution and Its Impact on the Republic of Yemen and the Arab Region,” was discussed not at the university, but inside the Republican Palace in Sanaa, a clear violation of academic norms.

Mockery and Doubts Over Al-Mashat’s Academic Background

Images of al-Mashat celebrating the occasion have been widely derided online, with many Yemenis seeing the move as part of a broader effort to compensate for the educational shortcomings of Houthi leaders. Some also pointed to his recent hair transplant and the awarding of military titles as part of a larger campaign to boost his public image.

Yemeni diplomat and writer Mohammad Jumaih sarcastically described al-Mashat as a “diligent student,” recalling how the Houthi-controlled Higher Military Academy awarded him an honorary master’s degree in military science in 2020, along with the title of “pillar” following his promotion to marshal.

Jumaih ridiculed the fact that al-Mashat’s defense took place in the Republican Palace instead of a university, saying: “He did not go to the university—the university came to him.” He concluded that the Iran-backed Houthis suffer from an “inferiority complex,” frequently fabricating degrees to counter criticisms of their lack of education.

Poet and writer Zein al-Abidin al-Dhubaybi questioned al-Mashat’s credentials, stating that he never attended university and does not hold a bachelor’s degree. Instead, his qualifications were allegedly “equated” based on a certificate from the late Houthi cleric Hussein al-Houthi.

Al-Dhubaybi went further, calling for Sanaa University’s certificates to be suspended, warning that its reputation had been severely damaged by such fraudulent academic practices.

The Houthis’ Obsession with Fake Credentials

Journalist Abdulrahman Anis dismissed al-Mashat’s degree as unsurprising, arguing that authoritarian regimes not only seize power but also manufacture academic legitimacy.

“They want history to remember them as intellectual leaders, not just warlords,” he remarked sarcastically.

Activist Youssef al-Zubaidi mocked the degree as a scientific miracle, writing:

“Sanaa University has broken the laws of physics by awarding a master’s degree to the genius of the century, Mahdi al-Mashat, whose education never went beyond the fourth grade!”

He added:

“Perhaps soon we’ll hear about honorary doctorates being awarded to anyone who can write their name without errors!”

A Hair Transplant and a Master’s Degree?

The Yemeni Academics and Teachers Club also joined the wave of sarcasm, posting on X:

“Congratulations to His Excellency President Mahdi al-Mashat on the successful hair transplant operation. We also recommend dental prosthetics to perfect your smile—don’t skimp, even if it costs a million dollars!”

Judge Arafat Jaafar questioned how al-Mashat could afford university fees when he had previously claimed to own neither a house nor a car and lived in a rented home.

Journalist and military researcher Adnan al-Jabarni described the degree as part of a carefully crafted campaign to boost al-Mashat’s public image, saying:

“First a hair transplant, then a master’s degree, and now dental prosthetics—what’s next?”

Academic Fraud and the Fate of University Professors

Journalist Ghamdan al-Yousfi shifted the focus to the real victims of the Houthis’ academic charade: university professors. He asked:

“For the professors who defended al-Mashat’s thesis… When was the last time they received their salaries?”

“A Master’s in Donkeyship”

Activist Hazaa al-Beel highlighted an ironic moment during the defense ceremony:

“Notice how the lights went out just as they announced his master’s degree—as if fate itself was mocking the situation!”

He added:

“Even al-Mashat’s facial expression seemed to ask: ‘Are they serious? Am I really a master’s degree holder?’ Even he doesn’t believe it!”

Yemeni MP: Study or Repent?

Even Abdu Bishr, a Yemeni parliamentarian in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, couldn’t resist mocking the spectacle. He criticized al-Mashat’s sudden academic ambitions, arguing that a leader should prioritize his people’s suffering over personal achievements.

“At this stage of life, should one focus on study or repentance?” he asked.

He concluded:

“Ignoring the people’s suffering—poverty, disease, war—under the pretext of education is not leadership. Repentance should come before seeking forgiveness.”

A Degree in Political Theater

For many Yemenis, al-Mashat’s degree is not an academic achievement but a political stunt, further exposing the Houthis’ obsession with image-building. As social media users continue to mock the absurdity of the situation, the incident underscores a deeper reality: under Houthi rule, even education has become a tool of propaganda.