Taiz Military Axis Commits to New Salary Mechanism Amid Reform Challenges

The leadership of the Taiz military axis announced on Wednesday its commitment to the new mechanism approved by the Ministry of Defense for disbursing salaries to armed forces personnel. This mechanism mandates direct salary delivery to beneficiaries via smart cards, replacing the previous method of transferring funds to unit commanders or their representatives.

The axis's declaration followed accusations from the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Tahir Al-Aqili, that several military unit commanders had refused to implement the new directives. Al-Aqili stated that some leaders had used offensive language against the ministry's leadership, while others attempted to exploit frontline conditions to obstruct reform measures. He further noted that delays in submitting daily attendance records ("Al-Tamam") by some brigade commanders had postponed the April salary disbursement for approximately 18 days, indicating the difficulties the Ministry of Defense faces in enforcing new oversight mechanisms aimed at curbing financial irregularities within the military institution.

These new measures are part of the Ministry of Defense's broader initiative to reform the salary disbursement system. The plan involves transitioning to cash exchange companies and utilizing electronic systems to reduce illegal deductions, verify actual troop strengths, and eliminate the issue of ghost personnel, which Minister Al-Aqili previously indicated comprised tens of thousands within the armed forces.

The Taiz axis has been among the military formations facing significant criticism in recent years, with recurrent accusations of administrative and financial imbalances, alongside security issues that have sparked public controversy in the province located in southwestern Yemen.

In its statement, the Taiz axis affirmed its adherence to the Ministry of Defense's directives but linked the implementation of the new mechanism to the continued disbursement of funds it described as "previous dues," including operational budgets, food, medical treatment for the wounded, salaries for replacement forces, and other necessities. A senior military source within the Ministry of Defense indicated that these conditions represent one of the challenges the ministry is seeking to address, explaining that military axes should be subject to a unified system in liberated areas, with the ministry responsible for financing any exceptional needs related to frontline movements or military operations.

Military sources have confirmed that the salary file has become a true test of the Ministry of Defense's ability to enforce long-awaited reforms within the military establishment, amidst allegations of influence networks benefiting from administrative and financial chaos at the expense of soldiers' rights.