Exploitation of Children by Houthi Networks Revealed: Child Beggars Speak Out

In a shocking expose, children have come forward to share their harrowing experiences of being forced into begging for leaders within the internationally designated terrorist group, the Houthis. The children, who have been recruited and exploited due to the economic devastation caused by the ongoing war in Yemen, reveal the disturbing tactics employed by the Houthi group.

One such child, ten-year-old "Musa," was compelled to leave school and seek employment to support his struggling family in the war-stricken country. However, a Houthi leader identified as "Abu Ali," stationed at a security checkpoint in Dhamar Governorate, coerced Musa into begging on his behalf. Musa recounted in an interview with Barran Press that Abu Ali justified the act of begging as a religious duty, claiming that no one else was begging at the checkpoint. For over two months, Musa collected money daily and handed it over to Abu Ali, who claimed to be keeping it safe. However, when Musa requested the money, Abu Ali refused to hand it over, prompting Musa to stop begging and keep what he had collected, despite the supervisor's threats.

In response to Musa's defiance, Abu Ali resorted to taking him to a sports club in Dhamar in an attempt to appease the child. There, Musa encountered four other children, all victims of Houthi recruitment. The supervisor indoctrinated them with sectarian and military ideologies, conducting courses on theft, concealment, and the planting of explosive devices. Musa revealed that the supervisor instructed them on the topics of jihad, fundraising, and supporting the Mujahideen.

Networks

From that point on, Musa and his four companions embarked on a life of thievery, stealing items such as batteries, phones, and money from cars and stores. They handed over the stolen goods to the supervisor, who assured them of protection and guaranteed assistance in evading any consequences.

Musa's story is not an isolated incident but rather reflects a larger pattern of exploitation. The report's author documented numerous cases of children in Sana'a, Dhamar, and Al-Bayda who have spent years begging for the benefit of Houthi leaders, while also being coerced into carrying out security missions, including the planting of explosive devices.

Local sources reveal that leaders within the internationally recognized terrorist group, operating primarily in the governorates of Saada and Amran, oversee a vast network of child beggars in the streets of Dhamar. These children are not only forced into begging but also utilized for various other tasks.

A study conducted by the Center for Social Studies and Labor Research highlights a significant surge in the number of beggars, particularly children and women, in recent years. In Sana'a alone, the number of beggars has reached a staggering one and a half million people. The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in Sana'a, under Houthi control, estimates that more than 10,000 boys and girls engage in begging solely within the city.

Media reports have previously exposed the Houthi group's exploitation of the begging phenomenon by luring individuals into so-called "cultural courses," only to later recruit them for money collection or security-related tasks.

Another child, thirteen-year-old "Arif," shares a similar ordeal. He began working as a beggar for a Houthi supervisor after being enticed by his classmate, "Muhammad," who lavished him with money at school. Intrigued by Muhammad's seemingly endless wealth, Arif left his home under the pretext of seeking employment. Accompanied by Muhammad and three other children they met at a club, Arif was handed over to supervisor "Abu Ahmed," who subsequently transferred them to "Radaa." There, they were placed under the supervision of another leader named "Abu Mutlaq," who forced them into begging.

The stories of Musa and Arif shed light on the distressing reality faced by countless children caught in the web of Houthi exploitation. As the international community grapples with the ramifications of Yemen's protracted conflict, urgent action is needed to protect and rescue these vulnerable young individuals from the clutches of terrorist networks.

Children have come forward to share their harrowing experiences of being forced into begging for Houthi leaders and supervisors. These children were lured with money, which attracted their peers from schools and the streets, according to documented stories.

Encouraging the phenomenon

A recent electronic survey conducted by the Yemen Information Center sheds light on the prevalence of begging in Yemen. The survey reveals that children constitute the largest group of beggars at 44%, followed by women at 39%, the elderly at 13%, and people with disabilities at 4%. Poverty is cited as the primary reason for the spread of the begging phenomenon, as reported by 57.4% of respondents. Additionally, 19.1% of respondents believe that the presence of entities supporting begging contributes to its prevalence. Observers point out that these findings reinforce reports implicating the Houthis in encouraging the begging phenomenon.

Formal begging

Living conditions in Yemen, characterized by interrupted salaries, limited job opportunities, and a lack of livelihood options, have led to a surge in the number of beggars. Areas under Houthi control have been particularly affected, with begging becoming one of the most widespread phenomena. Informed sources indicate that Houthi leaders now supervise the practice of begging. The group has transformed the process of attracting beggars into a semi-official operation since announcing the program to "address the phenomenon of begging." Hundreds of beggars in Houthi-controlled areas have been subjected to sectarian and military cultural courses lasting from six months to a year. They are compelled to work for the group under the threat of imprisonment. The Houthis have effectively turned begging into an official endeavor, exploiting this vulnerable group to bolster their ranks and financial resources. Some beggars are forced to pay a percentage of their daily collections in exchange for permission to continue begging.

Exploitation and attraction

Fahmi Al-Zubairi, the Director General of Human Rights in the Capital Secretariat, confirms the alarming increase in begging cases since the Houthis took control of Sana'a and other governed areas. Al-Zubairi highlights the expansion and multiplication of the begging phenomenon, particularly among children and women, due to the difficult conditions imposed by the Houthis, such as economic and living deterioration, salary cuts, and heightened poverty and hunger. Al-Zubairi accuses the Houthi group of exploiting the dire economic situation and manipulating people into organized begging networks, especially children. He reveals that some children are subjected to sectarian courses to brainwash them for future deployment on battlefronts. This use of children under the age of 14 is a violation of international conventions protecting children.

Al-Zubairi further condemns the Houthi group's recruitment of child beggars as a "war crime," emphasizing the group's policies and practices since the coup have plunged citizens into poverty, destitution, and hunger, forcing families to send their children out to beg.

As the plight of these exploited children comes to light, urgent action is required to protect them from the clutches of the Houthi terrorist network and provide them with the support they need.