Houthi rebels accused of forcing Yemeni children to fight in civil war
Iran-backed Houthis rebels have forced children to fight in Yemen's civil war while recruiting as many as 4,800 boys over the past six months, a Yemeni minister with the internationally recognized government on Tuesday said. Human Rights Minister Ezz Eddin al-Asbahi also said the Houthis have killed about 1,000 civilians in the two-year conflict, and that more than 300 children have died, either because of gunfire or rockets.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir met during the G20 summit in China and agreed to the need for a cease-fire in Yemen. U.S. Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a press release on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir agreed to implement a 72-hour cease-fire by all sides in Yemen's civil war. However, more causalities have been reported as the clashes between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebel groups continue in northern Yemen.
Yemen is of crucial importance for the U.S., as the country is home to one of their worst enemies, al-Qaida's deadliest franchise, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has orchestrated numerous high-profile terrorist attacks, including claiming responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris. Since 2002, the U.S. has been conducting counterterror strikes and operations against radical militants as part of U.S. national security policy. The U.S's "targeted-killing policy" and practices by the Obama administration have raised serious laws-of-war concerns regarding the human cost of U.S security policy in Yemen. AQAP has taken advantage of Yemen's civil war between mainly Shiite Houthi rebels and the government to expand its influence in the impoverished country. Thirteen members of AQAP have been reportedly killed in U.S. strikes in Yemen, the U.S. military said late Tuesday. The strikes took place between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4, according to U.S. Central Command, which said the strikes were putting "consistent pressure" on the terrorist network.
Additionally, Yemen plays a significant role for Saudi Arabia against Iran's influence over the violence-hit Middle East region. The advance of the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi group raises fears of the possible disintegration of the country. The capital Sanaa has been under Houthi rebel control since September 2014. The country has been facing severe political instability after the takeover of the presidential palace by Houthi militants, prompting President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to tender his resignation.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir met during the G20 summit in China and agreed to the need for a cease-fire in Yemen. U.S. Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a press release on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir agreed to implement a 72-hour cease-fire by all sides in Yemen's civil war. However, more causalities have been reported as the clashes between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebel groups continue in northern Yemen.
Yemen is of crucial importance for the U.S., as the country is home to one of their worst enemies, al-Qaida's deadliest franchise, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has orchestrated numerous high-profile terrorist attacks, including claiming responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris. Since 2002, the U.S. has been conducting counterterror strikes and operations against radical militants as part of U.S. national security policy. The U.S's "targeted-killing policy" and practices by the Obama administration have raised serious laws-of-war concerns regarding the human cost of U.S security policy in Yemen. AQAP has taken advantage of Yemen's civil war between mainly Shiite Houthi rebels and the government to expand its influence in the impoverished country. Thirteen members of AQAP have been reportedly killed in U.S. strikes in Yemen, the U.S. military said late Tuesday. The strikes took place between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4, according to U.S. Central Command, which said the strikes were putting "consistent pressure" on the terrorist network.
Additionally, Yemen plays a significant role for Saudi Arabia against Iran's influence over the violence-hit Middle East region. The advance of the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi group raises fears of the possible disintegration of the country. The capital Sanaa has been under Houthi rebel control since September 2014. The country has been facing severe political instability after the takeover of the presidential palace by Houthi militants, prompting President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to tender his resignation.