Financial crisis is weighing on Yemen’s military as soldiers wait for pay | Business and Economy

Marib, Yemen Inside the military area outside of this a city in western Yemensoldier Suleiman al-Hajj sits next to two of his colleagues in a small room where they spend most of their working hours.

Worry settled on his face as he made more phone calls and sent more and more text messages seeking credit as some of the military’s paychecks were delayed.

It is a recurring story in the armed forces of the Yemeni government known to the world, how the challenges of the war are combined with the daily life that has a major impact on military operations.

How much does a Yemeni soldier earn?

Military personnel earn 60,000 to 180,000 Yemeni riyals per month, about $38 to $116.

An army source who did not want to be named told Al Jazeera that the size of the Yemeni army ranges from 180,000 to 220,000 but that only about 30 to 40 percent are in command. The rest are in support or security roles.

The military receives about 36 billion riyals a month, about $23.2m, with about 17 billion riyals allocated to the fourth military zone in Aden, a city that is under government control after nearly six years in the hands of the southern separatists.

Are wages paid regularly?

A police officer told Al Jazeera Its soldiers last received their salaries in December, although the government promised that any back payments would be made by Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday that falls at the end of May and is a time of gift-giving and feasting.

“We are soldiers of the state, and we do not know of any party that is responsible for our salaries except the government, represented by the Ministry of Defense and the President of the General Staff,” he said. Despite the difficulties, the soldiers remain in their duties, fulfilling their duties, said the official.

The government is in desperate need of its soldiers. It has been fighting the Houthi rebels since 2014. They have captured Sanaa, the capital, forcing the government to move to Aden.

The war has caused financial problems for both sides. They have looked for ways to raise money, leaving them all penniless and struggling to pay government salaries and provide essential services in the areas they oversee.

What about Yemen that didn’t always happen?

There are various military units in the government-controlled areas that operate outside the umbrellas of the Ministries of Defense and Interior whose salaries are said to be higher and salaries are similar.

From 120,000 to 150,000 workers in this group Safety BeltsElite Forces, Giants Brigades and National Resistance are the fighters that get to the limit $320 a month, an official told Al Jazeera.

How does the economic crisis affect military discipline?

Delayed military pay reflects two clear problems for the Yemeni military: one related to the cost of living and the other to the distribution of wealth.

Military analyst Iyad al-Masqari believes this could force soldiers to join non-aligned forces, such as Security Belts, where regular payments are made, leaving soldiers short of experienced fighters.

Economist Mohammed al-Jamaei said he believes the delay in payments reflects serious problems within the army in terms of how resources are distributed and the ongoing crisis. it is forcing the soldiers to look for other ways to earn money, which can disrupt their culture.

As a result of its war, Yemen is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Unemployment has skyrocketed, and the value of the rial has plummeted, putting pressure on the military even as they are being paid.

Businessmen in Marib, Aden, Taiz and other areas also depend on the soldiers spending their salaries in local shops and markets, and late payments lead to economic decline in these cities.

What are the reasons for the government?

The Ministry of Defense has previously referred to the debt repayment problem as a result of financial constraints, citing a lack of funds, shortages of resources and difficulties in the distribution of salaries.

The difference in salaries is due to factors outside of the official budget, the ministry said, but promised efforts to improve the management of salaries.

Until then, the soldiers in Marib and other frontline cities are fighting not only on the battlefield but also with poverty, testing the ability of the soldiers to continue their work.