Yemen: Heightened Hostilities Put Children at Serious Risk of Grave Violations and Threaten Hard-Won Gains

New York, 15 October 2026 – “Children have no place in armed conflict, and as hostilities intensify to full-scale in Yemen, it is imperative to take all necessary precautions to ensure that all children are fully protected and shielded, including from grave violations”, urges the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier. This is the most serious escalation in Yemen since the UN-brokered truce in 2022. The threats posed to children by the conflict in Yemen are multiple, from being recruited and used by parties to conflict to being killed or maimed, including by explosive weapons used in populated areas. Since 3 September, 2026, the United Nations has already documented more than 60 grave violations against children in Yemen. “The resumption of hostilities threatens to reverse hard-won gains for children in Yemen and exposes yet another generation to fear, displacement and harm. Children have already endured far too much. Their protection must remain a priority, and all parties must make every effort to prevent further suffering, including by upholding their obligations under international law, ” said Under-Secretary-General Frazier. At least 200, 000 people have been displaced since the hostilities resumed, according to the United Nations, creating further protection risks for displaced children, in dire need of humanitarian aid, while access constraints continue to impede aid delivery to several areas controlled by the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah). Information regarding the destruction of schools has also been received. Increasing reports of children being recruited and used are extremely troubling, risking further exposing children to irreparable harm. Frazier calls on all parties recruiting and using children to immediately cease these practices, release children from their ranks, and fully implement their commitments under the Action Plans signed with the United Nations, including commitments to prevent recruitment and use, facilitate the release of children, and support their reintegration into civilian life*. She stresses that children associated with armed forces and groups should be considered primarily victims and, if caught in the course of military operations, be safely transferred to civilian partners, in line with the handover protocols in place. “All parties must further respect the civilian character of schools and take all necessary precautions to protect children and educational facilities from the effects of hostilities, ” said Frazier. In addition, she urges all parties to ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all children in need. She further calls on all parties and those who can influence to de-escalate tensions, as peace remains the best way to protect children in Yemen and beyond. Note to editors * According to the latest Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, 262 children have been recruited and used by parties to conflict in Yemen in 2025, including 127 verified cases by the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah) and 135 verified cases by the Yemen Armed Forces and affiliated forces and groups. The information presented does not represent the full scale of violations against children attributed to the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah), given that access constraints severely hamper the monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children; as a result, the information presented herein does not represent the full scale of violations against children attributed to the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah).

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