Germany detains 2 ex-soldiers over plot to fight in Yemen

German police detained two former soldiers on terrorism-related charges for allegedly trying to form a mercenary group of up to 150 members to fight in Yemen, the Federal Public Prosecutor said, Reuters report.

According to the report, two suspects, identified as Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A., decided in early 2021 to form a paramilitary unit consisting of former German Army soldiers and police members.

The men were in contact with at least seven people, with the goal of recruitment and had tried, unsuccessfully, to establish communication with Saudi Arabia in order to finance the group, the report says.

They wanted to prospect each mercenary earning around 40,000 euros ($46,500) a month.

They also aimed to “pacify” the six-year-old war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government.

READ: Egypt, UAE among biggest buyers of German arms