The Russian authorities, using deception, recruited at least 200 Yemeni Houthis, who came to Russia with promises of employment, and sent them to war against Ukraine. About this informs Financial Times with reference to the testimony of the mobilized themselves.
According to the publication, the Houthis became victims of a scheme called a “shadow operation of human trafficking.” They were promised a well-paid job, as well as the opportunity to obtain Russian citizenship. However, after arriving in Russia, they were forcibly recruited into the Russian army and sent to the front line in Ukraine.
The recruitment operation has been linked to Al Jabri, a company registered in Oman. Officially, it is engaged in tourism and trade in medical equipment, but its founder – the influential Houthi politician Abdulwali Abdo Hassan al-Jabri – allegedly used the company to organize the recruitment of militants. The contract, dated July 3, was signed by the head of the center for the selection of contractors in Nizhny Novgorod, which confirms the scale of this scheme.
One of the recruits, Nabil, said that he and others were tricked into going to Russia, promising work in the fields of “security” or “engineering.” Upon arrival, they were forced to sign documents they could not read and were soon sent to Ukraine. Within weeks of being recruited, the Houthis found themselves on the front lines, digging trenches under fire without warm clothing or adequate supplies.
Another recruit, Abdullah, said that he was promised $10,000. bonuses, a monthly salary of $2,000. and Russian citizenship for working in the production of drones in the Russian Federation. However, the group was forced to sign contracts with the Russian army under the threat of using weapons. After a short training, they were sent to a base in the Rostov region, and later to the front.
Farea al-Muslimi, a Persian Gulf expert at Chatham House, explained that Yemen is an “easy target” for Russian recruiters because it is one of the poorest countries in the world. People often agree to any promises, hoping to improve their living conditions, which is what Russia uses to attract mercenaries.
