Yemen's child soldiers: How poverty and war are pushing minors to the frontlines

Yemen's child soldiers: How poverty and war are pushing minors to the frontlines Submitted by MEE correspondent on Mon, 10/05/2026 - 09:35 A 17-year-old fighter tells MEE he joined government-aligned forces to defend his village, as rights groups warn indoctrination is fuelling recruitment Fighters loyal to the Houthis gather in the capital Sanaa on 10 September 2026 to recruit more fighters (Mohammed Huwais/AFP) Off Ibrahim is 17, but he already knows how to handle a Kalashnikov. He says he is not formally enlisted in the Yemeni government forces, but he fights shoulder to shoulder with his…