Houthis Recruit Children Amid Escalating Fighting in Yemen
The Houthis are recruiting children as young as 16 to fight in Yemen; 62 cases were documented in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive, carried out airstrikes on Taiz and Hodeidah, and announced their decision to retake Sanaa.
Sources
· 8Хуситы вербуют детей на фоне эскалации боев в Йемене в 2026 году
1Йеменские силы начали контрнаступление против хуситов и намерены вернуть Сану
2Правительство Йемена нанесло авиаудары по хуситам в Таизе и Ходейде
3Хуситы столкнулись с правительственными силами Йемена на юго-западе
4В Таизе усилились столкновения между правительственными силами Йемена и хуситами
5Хуситы объявили о новой морской блокаде судоходства Саудовской Аравии
6В Йемене в боях хуситов и правительственных сил погиб 81 человек
7Хуситы атаковали Моху и Мариб, убив 7 человек; Иран требует от США уступок по Ормузу
8Key points
- The Houthis are recruiting children as young as 16, with 62 cases documented in the second quarter of 2026; recruiters offer money and weapons to families in extreme poverty.
- Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive and announced their decision to retake Sanaa; fighting intensified in al-Bayda and al-Jawf provinces.
- The internationally recognized government carried out at least 15 airstrikes on Houthi positions in Taiz and Hodeidah.
- At least 18 Houthis and 13 government soldiers were killed in the fighting in Taiz; earlier reports said 81 people had been killed since Thursday.
- The Houthis attempted to cut the Taiz–Mocha road and suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment.
What happened
The Houthis are recruiting children as young as 16 to take part in combat operations in Yemen. 62 cases were documented in the second quarter of 2026. Recruiters offer money and weapons to families living in extreme poverty; the practice has intensified amid the most intense fighting in recent years.
On Monday, Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis, and Deputy Defense Minister Major General Samir al-Sabri announced the decision to retake Sanaa. The offensive comes amid intensified fighting in al-Bayda and al-Jawf provinces, which are considered the main gateways to the capital. On Friday, the government carried out at least 15 airstrikes on Houthi positions, concentrations, and equipment in the provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah.
On Thursday, the Houthis launched a large-scale offensive west of Taiz province, seeking to cut the road connecting Taiz to Mocha. Government forces regained control of some areas previously captured by the Houthis; at least 18 Houthis and 13 soldiers were killed in the fighting. Clashes intensified on several fronts in Taiz, including Kilaba in the northeast; the Houthis suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment.
Why it matters
The Houthis previously declared a naval blockade of Saudi shipping, threatening a return to full-scale war. Houthi attacks on Mocha and Marib killed at least seven people, including three soldiers, and threaten shipping in the Red Sea.
Related original articles
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- 3d agoПравительство Йемена нанесло авиаудары по хуситам в Таизе и ХодейдеAl Jazeera English
- 5d agoХуситы столкнулись с правительственными силами Йемена на юго-западеAl Jazeera English
- Aug 25В Таизе усилились столкновения между правительственными силами Йемена и хуситамиTRT Haber