The Houthi militia intensifies military activities in schools and forces local leaders to mobilize for the front lines.

Houthi Militias Intensify Military Activities in Schools

The Houthi militia has ramped up its military and mobilization activities in Al-Raimah Governorate. They target school students on one front and pressure local leaders to recruit fighters for the front lines on another, all under the pretext of supporting the Palestinian cause, according to educational and local sources.

Military Activities Inside Schools

Educational sources report that officials from the so-called “Public Mobilization” have been conducting intensive activities in schools within the Al-Jabin district and other areas since the beginning of this month. These activities specifically target students from the ninth grade to the third year of secondary school.

The activities include:

• Training on guarding and positioning
• Handling equipment and weapons
• Lectures with hostile and inciting content under the title “Tsunami of Al-Aqsa” courses

Additionally, the militia places local education directors under direct evaluation. A director remains in their position if they successfully mobilize students for the courses and front lines; otherwise, they face replacement.

Coercing Local Leaders to Recruit Fighters

Simultaneously, as military escalation continues in coastal districts, the militia forces local leaders and dignitaries in villages and districts of Al-Raimah to recruit fighters following significant losses on the front lines.

According to sources, the militia mandates each village to enlist 10 to 15 fighters along with their personal weapons, sending them to the front lines.

Abductions and Widespread Pressure

Sources confirm that the militia has abducted citizens who refused to participate in the courses or fled from them, with several still imprisoned. Houthi figures from Al-Raimah have also engaged in recruitment operations by providing lists of citizens to coerce them into enlistment.

Contradictions in Houthi Behavior

While the militia escalates military activities in schools and pressures local leaders to recruit fighters, they have assured Washington that they will not target Israeli and American ships in the Red Sea. Former U.S. President Donald Trump noted that the Houthis stated they “do not want to engage in combat against the United States.”

To follow the news in Arabic