The Houthi militias have been recenlty accused of training hundreds of kids and teens in combat at over 626 summer camps in Yemen's Ibb province.
Yemenis are worried about a rise in teen kidnappings, blaming the Houthi leaders for using the abductions for extortion and recruitment.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi recently admitted to recruiting and training 296,000 people since the Gaza conflict began, saying it’s in support of Palestinians and for possible clashes with the US and Israel.
A security source in Ibb told Asharq Al-Awsat that there’s been a worrying increase in teen kidnappings in the province. Recent incidents, numbering over seven, have targeted teenagers in places like Ibb city and other districts.
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, blames Houthi leaders for these abductions, which coincide with escalating chaos and security issues in Ibb.
One recent case involved a teenager named Musa Al-Zuhairi abducted while shopping in Al-Udain district; his whereabouts are unknown.
Despite family reports to Houthi authorities, no action has been taken.
Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi supervisors recently rounded up children and teens in Al-Udain district, transporting them to join summer camps and participate in rallies without informing their families.
Sources suspect that teenager Al-Zuhairi may have been forced by the group to join them, adding to a series of recent abductions involving teens and young men across Ibb.
Prior to Al-Zuhairi’s disappearance, brothers Issam and Adham were kidnapped in Yareem district. Their relatives are still searching for them, blaming the Houthis for their vanishings.
As the Houthi push to recruit students for their summer camps faces community resistance, sources in Ibb accuse group leaders of orchestrating abductions for recruitment and revenge against families who refuse to send their kids to the camps.
