A recent research study has issued a stark warning about the implications of ongoing pay disparities between Yemen’s National Army and other military formations. The study, released by the Al-Mokha Center for Strategic Studies on December 25, 2024, highlights that these discrepancies threaten the country’s governance, security, and overall stability.

According to the report, the payment system for the National Army is "distorted," revealing a significant and illogical gap in salaries. The study, which has been reviewed by Barran Press, indicates that the National Army is the most adversely affected party in this scenario.

The report details that salaries for the National Army range from 60,000 to 180,000 Yemeni riyals and are paid irregularly. In contrast, several military factions aligned with the Southern Transitional Council receive three separate salaries: one from the government due to their affiliation with the Fourth Military Region, another from Saudi Arabia, and a third from the Transitional Council, funded by state revenues it controls.

The study notes that the units receiving payments from Saudi Arabia, particularly the National Shield Forces and Border Brigades, are compensated more consistently. Meanwhile, the so-called "King Salman Grant" for the National Army is disbursed sporadically.

Additionally, the report highlights that military groups funded by the UAE, such as the Republic Guard and the Shabwa Elite Forces, receive their salaries in a more timely manner.

Regarding the consequences of these pay gaps, the study warns that they will hinder the integration of military formations into the Ministry of Defense. The report states that these factions will continue to resist integration if their members are paid with Saudi and Emirati currency.

The study underscores that these salary disparities pose a threat to peace and stability, referencing a 2020 report from the UN Experts Panel, which indicated that delayed salary payments and the lack of capabilities among government security forces threaten Yemen's security and hinder the implementation of targeted arms embargoes.

The Al-Mokha Center's study calls on the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, as the supreme commander of the armed forces, to rectify the financial situation of the National Army and ensure equal pay with other military formations. It urges the Presidential Council and the Military Security Committee to prioritize closing the financial gap in military payments.

Furthermore, the study appeals to the Saudi and Emirati coalition states to take significant steps toward unifying military salaries and financial disbursements.