Twitter removes thousands of accounts allegedly linked to Saudi Arabia

Twitter has removed 5,929 accounts allegedly originating in Saudi Arabia for "violating our platform manipulation policies," it announced Friday.

The accounts were attributed by Twitter to a larger network of more than 88,000, which was blamed for engaging in "spamming" or "state-backed information operation."

The San Francisco-based social media giant said its security team found the operation was linked to Smaat, a Saudi social media marketing and management company.

Twitter accused Smaat of "coordinated activity" by creating, purchasing and managing the accounts on behalf of its clients, which Twitter sees as a manipulation of its platform.

Twitter said it has permanently banned Smaat's access to its services, as well as the accounts of Smaat's senior executives.