Human Rights Report: Houthis Use 700 Schools to Recruit and Train Children for Combat

The Mayun Organization for Human Rights revealed that the Houthi militia is using 700 public and private schools in areas under its control as centers for recruiting children and training them on light and medium weapons, under the direct supervision of the Ministries of Defense and Education in the Houthi government.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day Against the Exploitation of Child Soldiers, the organization expressed its deep concern over the increasing number of child soldiers in Yemen, which reached record levels by the end of 2024, stressing that the systematic recruitment of children constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws, especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Mayon" explained that the Houthi group continues to deprive children of their right to education and life, and exposes them to the risk of death and injury, in a serious violation of human rights. She also pointed out that the recruitment of children has not stopped despite the decline in the intensity of confrontations between the parties to the conflict since October 2022, making it one of the most dangerous developments in the Yemeni conflict since its outbreak in 2014.

The organization made an urgent appeal to the international community and human rights organizations to intensify efforts and take effective measures to stop the recruitment of children and ensure their protection from exploitation in armed conflict, stressing the importance of strengthening deterrent measures and preventing the involvement of children in hostilities.