Save the Children condemns the death of 12 children in an explosion caused by a Houthi projectile.

International Organization Condemns Child Casualties from Houthi Explosives

Tragic Incident in Al-Dhale’e Province

The international organization Save the Children condemned the tragic deaths of five children and injuries to seven others due to an explosion from unexploded ordnance left by Houthi militias in Al-Dhale’e Province. This incident marks one of the deadliest events for children this year, raising significant concerns about their safety in conflict zones.

Details of the Heartbreaking Event

In an official statement, Save the Children reported that the victims, aged between 7 and 13 years, discovered the explosive while scavenging for scrap metal to sell. Mistaking it for a toy, they triggered the explosion, resulting in a high number of casualties. The organization noted that the injured children suffered severe wounds from shrapnel in their chests, abdomens, and limbs. Save the Children is providing medical support to several of these young victims.

Calls to End the Use of Explosive Weapons

Rishana Hanifa, the organization’s country director in Yemen, expressed her outrage, stating that it is “shameful” for children to continue suffering from the remnants of war after nearly a decade of conflict. She emphasized that injuries from explosives can lead to permanent disabilities, including amputations and loss of sight or hearing. Hanifa urged all parties involved in the conflict to cease the use of explosive weapons and adhere to international humanitarian law to protect civilians.

Warnings About Landmine Dangers

The organization highlighted a previous analysis indicating that since the United Nations ceasefire in April 2022, 511 children have been among 1,200 casualties caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance. Children face three times the risk of death or injury compared to adults, primarily due to a lack of awareness regarding the dangers posed by landmines.

Rising Child Labor in Yemen

Save the Children also pointed out the increasing incidence of child labor in Yemen, driven by the deteriorating economic situation. Many children are forced to work in scrap collection, herding livestock, and construction, exposing them to significant risks, including the dangers of unexploded ordnance. The organization called on donors to provide sustainable humanitarian funding for the removal of unexploded munitions and to support awareness programs about these risks.

On Monday evening, an explosive device from Houthi militia remnants detonated in the village of Al-Ribi in the Hajar district of Al-Dhale’e Province, resulting in the deaths of five children and injuries to seven others. The Ministry of Human Rights holds the Houthi militias fully accountable for this atrocity, describing it as “one of the most horrific humanitarian tragedies” that continues to claim the lives of innocent children in Yemen.

For more information, visit Yemen TV.

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