Arab Coalition Hands over 27 Former Child Soldiers to Yemeni Government

posted on: Jan 27, 2018

SOURCE: AL ARABIYA

RIYADH – The Saudi-led Arab coalition forces in Yemen handed over on Tuesday 27 former child soldiers to a representative of the legitimate government of Yemen.

They young soldiers were arrested during military confrontations with Houthi militias on the border of Saudi Arabia, an official source said.

The source pointed out that the Iranian-backed Houthi militias are forcibly pushing Yemeni children and youths to fight in the battle fronts as well as using them in failed operations.

The handover took place at Sharourah Force Command in southern Saudi Arabia, in the presence of representatives from the coalition forces, International Committee of the Red Cross, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the head of Child Protection Unit in Armed Conflict, Saudi Human Rights Commission, and the Yemeni government.

According the to the official source, ‘’each child was given a sum of money as a gift from Joint Forces Command, while Sharourah Force Command presented symbolic gifts to them’’.

All 27 children were then transported by bus to Marib, in northern Yemen.