Human rights and local sources revealed a new escalation by the Houthi militia, “Iranian agents,” in recruiting children in Hodeidah Governorate, western Yemen.

The sources said that the militia now imposed forced recruitment of children under threats of punishment, after previously relying on financial inducements.

According to the sources, the Houthis established a new training camp in the Al-Ash'ara region of Jabal Ras District, south of Hodeidah, and issued orders to the people to send their children to the camp under severe threats.

Testimonies from local residents confirmed that many children were forced to join the camps after receiving threats of harsh punishment if they refused.

The sources said that militia supervisors are intensifying their visits to homes in populated areas to force families to hand over their children to the camps, which exposes these children to serious risks on the psychological and physical levels.

The Ministry of Human Rights in the legitimate government documented 609 cases of recruitment of children under the age of 18 in Al-Durayhimi District in Hodeidah Governorate last year, where these children underwent military training and sectarian mobilization courses with the aim of exploiting them in battles.

These developments highlight an escalation in Houthi violations against children and place the international community with a greater responsibility to intervene in order to protect the rights of children and ensure a safe environment for them away from conflict.