Ukraine war: Houthi rebels apparently support Russia

According to a report in the Financial Times, the Houthi militia in Yemen is supporting the recruitment of local recruits to serve in the Russian military in the fight against Ukraine. It is a “shady human trafficking” operation through which the Russian military has already acquired “hundreds” of Yemeni mercenaries, the newspaper reported.

Citing those affected, the men were lured in their homeland with paid work in Russia and the prospect of Russian citizenship. However, when they arrived in Russia they were forcibly conscripted into the Russian armed forces and immediately sent to the front in Ukraine. The recruitment in Yemen is carried out by a company that was founded by a prominent Houthi politician. A recruitment contract seen by the newspaper indicated that Yemenis had been recruited for the Russian military since July.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking merchant ships sailing off Yemen’s coast, particularly in the Red Sea. The Houthis say they want to force an end to the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Russia has deepened its relations with the Houthis, the paper reported, citing a US diplomat. Moscow representatives are already in Yemen for talks. There are now fears that weapons will be delivered that would allow the Houthis to attack ships off the coast more effectively.

Due to high losses in the war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow recently reinforced its troops with around 10,000 North Korean soldiers. The Kremlin is also trying to motivate its own citizens to serve on the front. To this end, Moscow recently passed a law that forgives Russians’ debts if they volunteer to fight.