Yemen Conflict: Houthi Recruitment and Recent Attacks on Airports
UN reports detail child soldier recruitment in Saada, while missile strikes on Aden, Mukalla, and Riyadh infrastructure cause dozens of casualties.
By Alessia Romano ·
Yemeni children born under Houthi control are now being recruited to fight, according to recent findings from international bodies.
The United Nations Panel of Experts on Yemen and the US Department of Labor documented that schools and summer camps in the Saada region have served as sites for indoctrination and military training. These institutions, which should provide education and social development, have instead exposed young people to recruitment efforts. UNICEF has described the impact of disrupted schooling on children's learning, emotional development, and mental health as profound.
The expansion of Houthi influence has moved beyond the northern regions where the group holds power. Recent strikes have targeted key infrastructure in Aden, Hadramout, and Shabwa, as well as locations in Saudi Arabia. These attacks have demonstrated that the group's capabilities extend to areas previously considered safer or outside direct control.
In Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, an attack on Maashiq Palace occurred on October 15. This was followed by a reported strike on Aden’s airport on October 21. Residents of the city have faced renewed fear and disruption to essential services and transport links.
Reports from October 21 indicated that Al-Rayyan International Airport in Mukalla, Hadramout, was also targeted. AFP reported that a military base at the airport was hit, though no initial injuries were confirmed. The strikes highlight the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure that connects people to medical treatment, employment, and relatives.
In Shabwa, a missile attack on October 19 struck the Al-Alam training camp for security forces. Reuters reported that dozens of personnel were killed and more than 200 were injured, based on information from the local governor. The loss of security personnel has left communities mourning their dead and caring for the wounded, with effects felt well beyond the camp grounds.
The conflict has also impacted neighboring Saudi Arabia. A strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 killed 13 people. Travellers of various nationalities were affected by the disruption to international travel, marking a clear expansion of the danger beyond Yemen’s borders.
Yemen’s National Defence Council designated the Houthis a terrorist organisation in October 2022. The United States followed with a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation effective March 5, 2025. Despite the group signing a UN action plan in April 2022 to end grave violations against children, Human Rights Watch has documented continued recruitment.
Humanitarian assistance and legitimate commerce remain protected under current frameworks. However, officials emphasize that preventing recruitment requires investment in education, independent information, and psychosocial care. UNICEF provides reintegration assistance for children released from armed groups, aiming to offer viable alternatives to military service.
The next phase of international engagement is expected to focus on disrupting illicit weapons supplies and financing. Authorities are also moving to strengthen civilian protection and defend maritime navigation routes. Targeted consequences are being imposed on those directing and enabling abuses, while efforts continue to ensure civilians are not burdened by both repression and the measures used to confront it.
