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 A Yemeni boy carries a rifle during a Palestine solidarity rally in Sanaa, 12 July 2024 (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