Politics Report: Huthi in Yemen send Russia reinforcements for Ukraine war

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

Citing people involved, the Financial Times reported that some of the men had been lured back home with paid work in Russia and the prospect of Russian citizenship. Upon their arrival in Russia, however, they were conscripted into the Russian armed forces and immediately sent to the front in Ukraine. Recruitment in Yemen was carried out by a company founded by a prominent Houthi politician. A recruitment contract available to the newspaper indicated that Yemenis have been recruited for the Russian military since July.

Due to high losses in the war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow recently reinforced its troops with around 10,000 North Korean soldiers.

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

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthi, who are allied with Iran, have been attacking merchant ships passing the coast of Yemen, particularly in the Red Sea. According to their own statements, the Houthi want to force an end to the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.

SDA