CONSCRIPTION AND USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS AS A WAR CRIME BY THE HOUTHIS IN YEMEN

This paper examines the alarming practice of child soldier recruitment by the Houthi movement in Yemen’s ongoing armed conflict, highlighting the widespread and systematic nature of this war crime. The study focuses on the methods used by the Houthis to recruit children, some as young as eight years old, for both combat and auxiliary support roles. It delves into the devastating physical, psychological, and social consequences these children face, including injuries, permanent disabilities, and long-term trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this research is to analyze the recruitment and use of child soldiers by the Houthis, framing these actions as clear violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights conventions, such as the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The methodology employs a qualitative approach, utilizing reports from international human rights organizations, UN documentation, and eyewitness testimonies to assess the scope of these violations. The study aims to raise awareness about the unlawful use of children in armed conflict by the Houthis and the broader societal impact on Yemen. The findings indicate that the Houthi movement systematically violates international law by conscripting and deploying child soldiers. In conclusion, the paper calls for urgent international action, including legal accountability, child protection policies, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs for former child soldiers.