As the war in Ukraine escalates, Russia continues to recruit manpower via Houthi channels to fund Moscow’s war machine.
Whilst the world’s media recognised North Korea involvement, in the Ukraine war, the involvement of the Yemen’s Houthis is less well known. In fact, the latest batch of recruits arrived just two weeks ago and their background signifies a escalation in Russia’s desperate attempts to recruit manpower.
Recruitment Last Year, Under False Pretences
Russia is recruiting young Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine, luring them with promises of secure jobs and citizenship. Many recruits, unaware of the true nature of their contracts, were forcibly sent to the front lines despite lacking military experience.
Yemeni recruits, tell The Daily Euro Times, that brokers in Yemen and Oman lure them with secure jobs and Russian citizenship. Recruits are unaware that recruiters are looking to profit off Russian mercenaries than a 'better life' in Russia.
The Recruitment Process
A group of Yemeni victims revealed to The Daily Euro Times that they were approached by brokers in Oman including Abdulwali al-Jabri: a Yemeni political and military figure. Al-Jabri promised them high-paying civilian jobs in Russia.
Ali, a Yemeni national who declined to give his last name for security reasons, said he was working as a salesman in Oman in July when he was approached by Abdulwali al-Jabri; a senior Yemeni political and military official. Ali said they told him about job opportunities in Russia with a good salary and a large bonus.
Upon arrival, they discovered they were recruited as mercenaries for the Russian army.
Scale of Recruitment
According to private estimates, obtained by The Daily Euro Times, records suggest that between 300 and 400 Yemenis have been recruited since July 2023, with recruitment ongoing.
Route of Travel
The route involves traveling from Oman, through Dubai to Moscow, finally reaching military camps on the frontline.
Frontal Company: Recruitment Firm and Key Figures
The founder of the recruitment company is headed by Abdulwali Al-Jabri, a member of parliament and commander of the 115th Infantry Brigade, a supporter of the Houthi group.
Al-Jabri, a known supporter of the Houthi group, founded Al-Jabri Company for Trade and Investment in Oman. Officially registered as a medical import company, it was instead used to recruit Yemenis for military service in Russia.
Al-Jabri was sentenced to death by the Marib Military Court, affiliated to Yemen’s internationally recognised government, in August 2021 for supporting the Houthis.
Deceptive Contracts and Financial Exploitation
Recruitment contracts, obtained by The Daily Euro Times, promised salaries of $2,500 per month and a $20,000 signing bonus.
The Daily Euro Times obtained a copy of a recruitment contract, written in Arabic and English, detailing the name of Al-Jabri Company for General Trade and Investment; Abdul Wali Al-Jabri is the sole representative.
Upon reading the contract, the Al Jabri Company’s mission is tied to finding jobs in Russia “based on the military, security, or civilian fields, according to qualifications, experience, and skills” although most do not have military experience. The contract ends when Russian citizenship is obtained.
Russian Official’s Involvement
According to sources in Amman, Starostin Dmitry Sergeevich, a Russian government official, reportedly coordinated recruitment efforts in Muscat, Oman.
Sergeevich facilitated visa processes and escorted recruits to Moscow, later transferring them to military training camps in Rostov before deployment to Ukrainian occupied territories.
According to the Yemeni recruits, Sergeevich visited Muscat several times – during which he met several recruits and accompanied three different batches to Moscow – whilst assisting the recruits with their entry procedures upon entry to Moscow Domodedovo airport.
Forced Military Service and Abuse
Upon arrival, recruits had their passports confiscated and were transported to military camps. They were told they would work in non-combat roles but were instead forced into combat after a month of training.
Those who protested faced beatings, forced labour, and threats of execution. Some went missing after attempting to resist.
Embassy Inaction
Therefore, many conscripts filed complaints with the Yemeni embassy in Moscow, but they accused embassy officials of indifference and complicity. Copies of these complaints were shared with The Daily Euro Times.
Deeper Ties: Houthi-Russian War Recruitment (February 2025)
According to sources close to The Daily Euro Times, recent recruits arriving in Ukraine reportedly have military experience and openly support the Houthi group, suggesting a deeper partnership between Russia and the Houthis.
A testimony of a soldier, who refused to come on the record for fear of security, noted that the latest batch did not arrive at the camp for “self-defence training” as most of them have military experience and “chanted Ansar Allah slogans across military sites.”
Unlike earlier recruits, these Yemenis were not deceived, financially exploited, and misled over their recruitment.
In doing so, these recruits have military experience, embrace Houthi propaganda, and are prepared to fight alongside Russians without second guessing their role in Houthi-Russian cooperation.
Such developments indicate a shift in Russia’s recruitment strategy whilst affirming the Houthis’ brazen attempts to defy international pressure considering the Trump’s administrations latest FTO designation.
Geopolitical Implications: Trump, Russia, and the Houthis
The deepening ties between Russia and the Houthis could escalate regional tensions.
The recruitment of Yemenis highlights Russia’s increasing reliance on foreign fighters to sustain war efforts whilst reaffirming the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen today.
With the Trump administration’s latest declaration of the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, these reports indicate a willingness to defy U.S. pressure on Yemen. Instead, the Houthis and Russia evade U.S. foreign policy on Yemen, Ukraine, and the wider Middle East.
It serves as a reminder that whilst Trump’s ‘America First’ strategy may be popular at home; the Trump adminitration ought to rethink their wider strategy on Yemen and perhaps Russia if they really aim to end Houthi rule in Yemen.
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Read also:
Triangular Diplomacy: Djibouti, the Houthis, and Al-Shabaab
Looking for a Better Life: African Migrants Under Houthi Trafficking
Anything for a Dollar: Djibouti, Arms Smuggling, and Terrorism (Part 3, Horn of Africa Series)
