Deceived Yemenis drafted into Russian army amid false promises
The transport company Al Jabri General Trading & Investment Co SPC from Oman recruited hundreds of Yemenis, promising them jobs and citizenship in Russia. However, they were forcibly enlisted into the army and sent to the front in Ukraine. Mercenaries are recruited in cooperation with the Houthi militias, supported by Iran, reveals the "Financial Times".
Yemeni recruits who arrived in Russia were deceived by promises of high-paying employment and Russian citizenship. Once they arrived through a company associated with the Houthis, they were forced to join the Russian army and sent to the front in Ukraine.
One of the recruits named Nabil, who exchanged text messages with the "Financial Times", estimated that in September, he, along with a group of about 200 Yemenis, was inducted into the Russian army after arriving in Moscow. Although some had combat experience, many had not undergone any military training.
Abdullah, another Yemeni quoted in the article, says that "he was promised a $10,000 (€9,600) bonus and $2,000 (€1,900) per month, plus eventual Russian citizenship, to work in Russia manufacturing drones." Upon arrival in Moscow on 18 September, his group was forcibly taken from the airport to a facility located about three hours from the capital.
Russian collaboration with Houthi militias
U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking confirms that "We know that there are Russian personnel in Sanaa helping to deepen this dialogue." According to him, the types of weapons being discussed are very concerning and could allow the Houthis to better attack ships in the Red Sea and potentially beyond.
Houthi militias sent at least two official delegations to Moscow this year, where they met with high-ranking Kremlin officials, including Mikhail Bogdanov, the Kremlin's envoy to the Middle East. According to American diplomats, Moscow provides various types of assistance to the Houthis, including targeting information for certain missile launches.
Ali Al-Subahi, chairman of the board of the International Federation of Yemeni Migrants, emphasises that "this is a humanitarian issue that unites all Yemenis, regardless of political affiliation." He notes that hundreds of Yemenis are still in Russia.
According to Farea al Muslimi, a Gulf region expert from Chatham House, "One thing Russia needs is soldiers, and it’s clear the Houthis are recruiting, [for them]." He points out that it is a very poor country.
