‘Employment With High Salaries’: Russia Recruiting Foreign Fighters from Yemen

Latest Developments

• Yemeni Fighters Funneled to Russian Frontlines in Ukraine: Russia has reportedly recruited hundreds of Yemeni nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine using a company linked to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The fighters are allegedly promised “employment with high salaries” along with Russian citizenship.

• Houthis May Receive Russian Weapons in Return for Foreign Recruits: The Houthis are reportedly being told that they will receive Russian weapons transfers in exchange for the Yemeni fighters. Tim Lenderking, the U.S. special envoy for Yemen, said that there are Russian operatives in the Yemeni capital Sana’a aiming to “deepen this dialogue.” He told the Financial Times that “the kinds of weapons that are being discussed are very alarming, and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and possibly beyond.”

• Russia Seeks Further Cooperation With Iran-Backed Groups: Russia has reportedly provided “targeting data” to the Houthis as they attacked international shipping vessels in the Red Sea. Russian satellite data was passed to the Houthis through members of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the ground in Yemen.

FDD Expert Response

“Russia needs additional cannon fodder to wage its illegal and barbaric war of conquest against Ukraine. But there is a larger issue here. Yemen is a de facto colony of the imperialist regime in Tehran. And Tehran revolves around an axis with Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang. These regimes are either waging war or threatening to wage war against free and democratic countries — allies and friends of the United States. The axis’s goal is to replace the American-led international order with a new global system. Its rules will be made by them and serve only their interests. The United States and its allies need to recognize and address this clear and present danger.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“The number of Yemeni recruits reportedly sent to Russia will not make a meaningful difference on the battlefield. What is significant, though, is the fact that Russia is expanding cooperation with the Houthis as well as their Iranian patrons. Notably, Moscow could provide the Houthis with anti-ship missiles in retaliation for the Western permission for Ukrainian missile strikes in Russia.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“It is unclear whether any of the hundreds of would-be Yemeni recruits to the ranks of Russian forces waging war against Ukraine have fighting experience. They are unlikely to significantly change the war’s progress. The significant development here is the strengthening of ties between Russia and the Iran-backed Houthis, a trend that should raise concern among Western nations and especially the Gulf states given the Houthis’ past attacks against them.”— Joe Truzman Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal