Delayed salaries deepen hardships for Yemeni government soldiers

Delayed salary payments are adding to the pressures faced by soldiers serving in Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces, raising concerns about morale and military effectiveness amid the country’s long-running conflict.

At a military facility near the western Yemeni city of Marib, soldier Suleiman al-Hajj spends his downtime trying to secure loans as army salary payments continue to be delayed, Al Jazeera reports.

According to military sources, Yemeni army personnel earn between 60,000 and 180,000 Yemeni riyals per month, equivalent to roughly $38 to $116. One military source told Al Jazeera that the regular army consists of between 180,000 and 220,000 personnel, although only 30 to 40 per cent serve on front lines.

An officer said soldiers under his command last received salaries in December, despite government promises that outstanding payments would be made before Eid al-Adha later this month.

“We are soldiers of the state, and we do not know of any party responsible for securing our salaries other than the government, represented by the Ministry of Defence and the presidency of the General Staff,” the officer said.

Despite the delays, he said troops continue carrying out their duties.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has been fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement since 2014, after the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the government to relocate to Aden.

The conflict has severely damaged the economy, with both sides targeting each other’s revenue sources, leaving authorities struggling to pay salaries and maintain public services.

In areas controlled by the government, several nonregular armed groups reportedly receive higher and more reliable payments. According to one official, fighters in formations such as the Security Belts, Elite Forces, Giants Brigades and National Resistance can earn up to $320 per month.

Analysts warn that payment disparities and delayed salaries could weaken the regular army. Military affairs analyst Iyad al-Masqari said soldiers may leave to join irregular formations offering stable income, creating shortages of experienced personnel.

Economic expert Mohammed al-Jamaei said the salary crisis reflects deeper structural problems and warned that soldiers seeking alternative income sources could affect discipline within military ranks.

Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with high unemployment and a sharply weakened currency increasing financial pressure on soldiers and civilians alike.

The Defence Ministry has blamed the delays on financial shortages, declining state revenues and difficulties in distributing payments, while promising efforts to improve salary disbursement.

By Sabina Mammadli