In a military facility on the outskirts of Marib, soldier Suleiman al-Hajj sits with two comrades in a sparse room, worry etched on his face as he makes calls and sends messages seeking a loan amid another delayed salary payment from the army. This recurring issue in the armed forces of Yemen's internationally recognized government merges battlefield hardships with everyday life, seriously impacting military efficiency.
Army personnel earn between 60,000 and 180,000 Yemeni riyals per month (roughly $38 to $116). A military source speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera said the regular army numbers between 180,000 and 220,000 personnel, but only 30-40% serve on front lines; the rest are in support or guard roles. The army receives a monthly budget of about 36 billion riyals ($23.2 million), with 17 billion riyals allocated to the Fourth Military Region in Aden.
One officer told Al Jazeera that his soldiers last received salaries in December, although the government promised to pay arrears by Eid al-Adha in late May. "We are soldiers of the state, and we do not know of any party responsible for securing our salaries other than the government," he said, adding that soldiers remain at their posts despite hardships.
The government has been fighting Houthi rebels since 2014, who seized the capital Sanaa, forcing the government to relocate to Aden. The war has caused financial troubles for both sides, targeting each other's revenue sources, leaving both cash-strapped and struggling to pay salaries and fund basic services.
Various military formations operate outside the defense and interior ministries in government-controlled areas, offering higher and more consistent pay. The Security Belts, Elite Forces, Giants Brigades, and National Resistance employ 120,000 to 150,000 personnel earning up to $320 per month.
Military analyst Iyad al-Masqari believes delayed wages could push soldiers to join irregular formations like the Security Belts, leading to a shortage of experienced fighters in the army. Economic expert Mohammed al-Jamaei says salary delays indicate deeper resource distribution problems, forcing soldiers to seek alternative income sources, potentially impacting discipline.
Yemen is experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises due to the war. Unemployment is high, and the rial's value has plummeted, pressuring soldiers even when paid. Traders in Marib, Aden, Taiz, and other areas rely on soldiers' spending, so delayed wages slow economic activity.
The Defense Ministry blames arrears on financial constraints, liquidity shortages, and distribution complications, promising efforts to improve salary disbursement. Until then, soldiers in Marib and other front-line cities fight not only on the battlefield but also against poverty, testing their ability to continue their duties.
Source: www.aljazeera.com