HRW Urges Yemeni Houthi Rebels to Stop Using Children in Military Action

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Yemeni Houthi rebels recruit, train and deploy children into military, as fighting in the country intensifies, a rights group said Tuesday, calling on the rebels to release the minors in its ranks.

"As fighting rages in Yemen, the Houthis have ramped up their recruitment of children. Commanders from the Houthis and other armed groups should stop using children or risk prosecution for war crimes," Fred Abrahams, a special adviser at the Human Rights Watch, said.

Houthis use children as scouts, guards, runners and fighters, the HRW said, adding that some end up injured and killed in battle.

According to the human rights watchdog, Houthis are not the only insurgent group to send children into battle. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is also deploying child soldiers, HRW said.

Houthi rebels have overtaken large areas of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and forced its President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee. A coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia has been conducting airstrikes against the group's positions since late March on Hadi's request.

The deterioration of the political situation in Yemen has led to a rise in AQAP's activity. The al-Qaeda offshoot is mostly active in the south of the country.

According to UNICEF, as many as 140 child soldiers had been recruited as soldiers in Yemen between March 26 and April 24.