Weapons for cannon fodder: The Houthis' Devil's bargain with Russia

According to a report in the Financial Times today (Sunday), the Houthis are reportedly and alledgely striking a bargain with Russia: hundreds of soldiers for the Ukrainian front, in exchange for weapons and knowhow for hitting ships in the Red Sea and possibly bypassing Israeli defenses.

According to the report, a shadowy Russian company is being allowed to operate in Houthi-held territory, luring poor Yemenites with promises of large salaries and even Russian citizenship - only to then forcibly conscript them as soldiers on the bloody front with Ukraine.

The Houthis are reportedly interested in Russian anti-ship missiles and perhaps even technology capable of bypassing Israeli missile defenses, which have thus far stymied Houthi drone and missile attacks.

The Houthi recruitment is one part of a general Russian effort to replenish its manpower problem in Ukraine, including the sending of thousands of North Korean troops to the front and offers of financial relief to people in the poorest parts of the country in exchange for service.