Houthi Campaign in Hodeidah: Forced Recruitment of Youth Reported

Houthi militias conducted a widespread recruitment drive in the Al-Zuhra district of Hodeidah Governorate on Saturday evening, forcibly enlisting dozens of young men and dispatching them to front lines.

Local sources reported that the militia established a gathering point in the Al-Mu'taridh market, while affiliated vehicles patrolled several villages and communities within the district to round up youths and transport them to the assembly point. Testimonies indicated that some young men were coerced into joining the militia, while others were forcibly removed from their homes.

Eyewitnesses at the Al-Mu'taridh market confirmed seeing dozens of young men gathered and taken to the market in recent hours.

The recruitment operations, according to sources, extended to multiple areas and villages in the district, including Al-Mu'taridh, Markuda, Mahall Ghadar, Al-Zuhra, Deir Qa'mous, Deir Ma'dhabi, Nu'man, Kandawa, Al-Ma'ras, Al-Khamis, Makamaliya, Al-Rasfa, Musalliba, Al-Raf'i, Al-Dhahir, Deir Rajih, Deir Masid, Maqnama, and Jabal Malih, along with other villages.

These actions coincide with recent military escalations observed on the southern front of Hodeidah and other battlefronts in recent hours.