Young Iraqis Lured to Fight for Russia Amid Economic Desperation

Young Iraqis are increasingly being drawn into the conflict in Ukraine, enticed by promises of financial gain and a pathway to citizenship in Russia. One such individual, Mohammed Imad, shared his last moments on TikTok from a war-torn field that appeared to be in Ukraine. In his final post from May, he urged his followers to “pray for me,” alongside a Russian flag. Following this post, his family received no further communication, leading to a mix of rumors regarding his fate, including claims that he had been taken hostage or killed.

Zeinab Jabbar, Mohammed’s mother, expressed her heartbreak, revealing that he enlisted in the Russian military without the family’s knowledge. “He went and never came back,” she lamented, while holding onto a photograph of her son in their home in Musayab, south of Baghdad. The family, like many others in Iraq, has endured years of conflict and instability. “What do we have to do with Russia and Ukraine?” she questioned, reflecting the sentiments of many Iraqis who have seen their country ravaged by war.

The allure of joining Russia’s military is amplified by an economic crisis in Iraq, where one in three young people are currently unemployed. Reports indicate that young men are being offered a monthly salary of $2,800, significantly higher than what they could earn in Iraq’s military. Additionally, recruits are promised sign-up bonuses of up to $20,000, along with a Russian passport, insurance, and pension benefits.

Recruitment Through Social Media

Influencers on platforms like TikTok and Telegram are actively recruiting young Iraqis, offering guidance and even assistance in securing visas to Russia. According to AFP, a network of channels now targets a younger demographic, presenting opportunities not only to Iraqis but also to potential recruits from countries like Syria, Egypt, and Algeria. One user, known as Abbas Hamadullah, claimed to assist aspiring fighters, sharing military terminology in Russian and facilitating the recruitment process.

Families of missing recruits are increasingly turning to social media to search for their loved ones. Mohammed’s sister, Faten, spends hours trying to track down information about her brother, receiving conflicting reports about his whereabouts. The last confirmed sighting of him was in the Oryol region of Russia, where he was believed to be training.

The grim reality is underscored by the fate of other recruits. Alawi, another young man who traveled to Russia with Mohammed, has also been unaccounted for since May. His father, Abdul Hussein Motlak, repeatedly urged him to return home. Alawi, however, was determined to fulfill his military contract, driven by a sense of duty and the promise of a better life.

Impact of Foreign Recruitment

While thousands of foreign fighters have joined Russian forces, Iraqis are said to represent a significant, though unverified, number. The Ukrainian embassy in Iraq estimates that around 3,500 foreign fighters are aligned with Ukrainian forces, who receive standard military pay, contrasting with the lucrative offers made to those fighting for Russia. Ukraine’s ambassador to Iraq, Ivan Dovhanych, stated that many of these fighters are not driven by ideology but are simply seeking employment.

As the Iraqi government attempts to maintain a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict, there are growing concerns about the image these recruits portray. Iraqis have historically fought in various foreign conflicts, often motivated by political or religious obligations. Yet, the current recruitment trends have raised alarm among families who fear the stigma attached to being labeled as mercenaries.

In September, a court in southern Iraq sentenced an individual to life imprisonment for human trafficking, relating to recruitment for foreign military service. The Iraqi embassy in Moscow has issued warnings about efforts to lure citizens into joining the conflict under false pretenses.

For families like that of Mohammed and Alawi, the quest for better economic opportunities has turned tragic, with many fearing for their loved ones’ safety. “It is a shame that young men are going to die in Russia,” Faten remarked, highlighting the societal stigma surrounding those who seek fortune in foreign wars.

As the conflict continues, the socio-economic pressures in Iraq are likely to push more young people towards similar fates, raising urgent questions about the support systems in place for those left behind.