Yemen’s child soldiers: How poverty and war are pushing minors to the frontlines

Yemen's child soldiers are being pushed to the frontlines by a combination of poverty and ongoing war. A 17-year-old fighter named Off Ibrahim told MEE that he joined government-aligned forces to defend his village, though he is not formally enlisted. He views the fighting as temporary and plans to return to studying to become an automotive engineer.

Ibrahim is one of many child soldiers whose recruitment has been documented by the United Nations and media outlets. A March 2025 UN report found 564 cases of child recruitment and use in Yemen between 2021 and 2023, with children aged 8 to 17 involved. Both warring parties deny officially recruiting minors, but the UN confirmed children ranging from 8 to 17 years old were recruited.

The majority of combatants were used in support roles, with 27 under 15 years old. Ahmed, Ibrahim's cousin, argued that Ibrahim's role was to perform support tasks behind the troops rather than fight on the front lines. Poverty is a major factor in child recruitment, as families are pushed to accept the small stipend or food offered by armed groups in exchange for their children's safety and education.