Yemeni children continue to be caught in the crossfires of conflict

Children face a number of battles growing-up, however all of the hurdles and challenges of a normal childhood are increasingly compounded by conflict.  The children of Yemen are no strangers to adversity, however the challenges of childhood seem are growing more drastic as the the county’s conflict grows more deadly.  Recent anti-government demonstrations have turned deadly as government forces reacted violently to protesters, filling the streets with gunfire and tear gas.  The attacks have left dozens of children dead, according to reports.   Children are also being forcibly conscripted as child soldiers.

Protests and attacks, which began in early Febuary, have caused a serious impeedment of children’s access to education, in addition many parents are taking their children to demonstrations and placing them at increased risk.  According to the YemenNGO Seyaj, Organization for Childhood Protection, (SOCP), at least 22 children were killed and more than 200 injured during the protests in March.  

It is not only the anti-government demonstrations and counter attacks that have led to the denial of Yemini children’s access to education and other basic rights, but also the ongoing displacement of civilians throught the conflict.  According to estimates children compose 60 percent of the some 300,000 people displaced displaced by the conflict.  NGO’s have grown increasingly concerned about the welfare of children and children’s lack of access to schools puts them at greater risk for conscription to fight.  “Children are becoming more aggressive and have a higher tendency to fight,” Jamila al-Mujahid, principal of the Sana’a-based Muadh Ibn Jabal School, told the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). 

The ongoing conflict in Yemen continues to leave children to bare the scars of war, many of whom suffer not only from an impeeded or denied access to basic necessities and rights, but also left to face psychological trauma.