Child Soldiers in the Sa’ada War: Yemeni human rights organization (HOOD)

[M.T. Al-Mansouri, Ph.D.]

Theres a lot of conflicting reports, but HOOD has credibility. A Yemeni human rights organization, has warned of a humanitarian crisis for children displaced to refugee camps in Saada due to the ongoing war between the government and Houhi rebels. In an interview with al-Hiwar satellite channel, the executive director of Hood Khalid al-Anisi explained that Saada children are dislodged in camps in large numbers, emphasizing that children are mistreated and used as human shields by Houthi rebels. He further mentioned that children are recruited by both the military and al-Houthis, citing that the numbers of children recruited by the rebels are more. For its part, Seyaj Organization for Childhood Protection has warned from a humanitarian crisis against Saada children displaced in camps and villages. The organization expressed deep concern over the recruiting of juveniles by Houthi rebels, warning form using children and civilians as human shields.