About 150 Yemeni citizens will be able to become forced soldiers in Russian military formations located in the territories of Ukraine.
This was reported by OCCRP investigative journalists Wagdi Assalemi and Selma Mhaoud.
The journalists received information about the forced soldiers by joining a WhatsApp group called “Trapped in Russia,” of which 150 Yemenis are members. The exact number of citizens of this country in the ranks of the Russian army is currently unknown.
As an example, journalists cited the story of a young man named Hamza, who, traveling to the Russian Federation, hoped to find work as a security guard or construction worker. However, he was tricked into joining the army.
A group of Yemenis was brought to Russia by the Oman-based travel company Al Jabri General Trading & Investment Co SPC. Many Yemenis, where 83% of the population lives in poverty, are seeking job opportunities in neighboring Oman.
Immigrants came to the aforementioned company with an application to work in Russia, which promised the opportunity to obtain citizenship. The company’s director, Abdul Wali Abdul-Hassan al-Jabri, said the recruits were fully informed about their upcoming military service.
“These people were not going to work other than military service, and our role was only to coordinate the transfer,” he added.
However, the company director may not be entirely honest. One of the recruits provided journalists with a sample contract with Al Jabri General Trading & Investment, which provided for employment “in the defense, security or civil fields, depending on qualifications, experience and capabilities.”
Another Yemeni named Hicham said that based on this wording, he expected a “peaceful” job because he had no military experience.
“It was not clear that we would become soldiers,” denied the words of the director of the Omani company.
Upon arrival in Moscow, Hicham signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry in Russian, which he does not understand. He was prohibited from taking a photograph of this document, so he could not provide it to journalists.
The two Yemenis have Russian military documents confirming that they were sent to the Southern Military District.
The group “Trapped in Russia” wrote a letter to the ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to Russia, Ahmed Salem al-Waheyshi, asking for help:
“We ask you to intervene and save us from death”
The ambassador told reporters that he discussed this issue with representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. However, he did not specify how his meeting with Russian diplomats ended.
“We are contacting the relevant authorities to help us in this matter. We are at the service of the citizens and, God willing, everything will be fine,” added Ahmed Salem al-Waheyshi.
Kursor also reported on how the Russian Federation will supply weapons to the Houthis.
