Human rights sources have reported a significant discrepancy involving the Houthi militia, which allegedly declared a 13-year-old child dead in combat, only for him to later appear in a video as a prisoner of government forces. The incident has raised serious questions regarding the fate of minors recruited and deployed to front lines by the Houthi militia. The child, identified as Qusai Saleh Ahmed Ghazi from the Shahil district in Hajjah governorate, was reportedly listed among the militia's casualties in recent days. His family was informed of his death. However, a video circulated by activists on Wednesday showed Qusai alive and confirming his capture by a military formation affiliated with government forces. Sources indicated that the premature declaration of the child's death before his appearance as a captive highlights irregularities in how the Iran-backed Houthi militia handles missing personnel, particularly minors, and the potential for families to receive inaccurate information about their children's status. This case is reportedly not an isolated incident. The Houthi militia has previously announced the deaths of fighters in various fronts, only for some to later emerge among prisoners released in exchange deals. In some instances, such mistaken death declarations have led to severe familial repercussions, including wives remarrying before their husbands reappeared in prisoner swaps, resulting in complex family disputes. The case of Qusai Ghazi once again brings to the forefront the critical issue of child soldier recruitment in Yemen and the severe risks it poses to the lives and well-being of these young individuals and their families. |
