Yemen Monitor/London/Exclusive:
US Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking confirmed on Sunday that Russian individuals are in Sana’a to discuss arms supplies to the Houthis.
He told the Financial Times that Russia is actively engaging with the Houthis and discussing arms supplies with them. However, he declined to specify exactly what weapons were being discussed.
He said: “We know that there are Russian individuals in Sana’a helping to deepen this dialogue. The types of weapons being discussed are of great concern and would allow the Houthis to attack ships better in the Red Sea and possibly beyond.”
The Financial Times reported that Russia has recruited hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in Ukraine, in a move that highlights the growing ties between Moscow and the Iranian-backed Houthis.
Yemeni men travel to Russia, where they are forcibly conscripted into the army and sent to the front lines.
Recruits told the newspaper that they traveled to Russia under the auspices of a Houthi-backed company, and were promised high-paying jobs, and even Russian citizenship.
The Financial Times described the operation as a “mysterious smuggling operation”, confirming the deep ties between the Kremlin and the Iranian-backed Houthi Yemeni group.
Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other countries.
In October, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Houthi militants in Yemen are using Russian satellite data to target ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. The targeting information was reportedly provided through the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enabling the Houthis to expand their strikes.
