Coalition hands Yemeni government infant girl used as human shield by Houthis
Al Arabiya,
20 May 2018
The
spokesperson of the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen has said that
forces handed over a 4-year-old infant girl over to a representative of the
Yemeni government after rescuing her from Houthi militants.
spokesperson of the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen has said that
forces handed over a 4-year-old infant girl over to a representative of the
Yemeni government after rescuing her from Houthi militants.
 |
| Col. Turki al-Malki said on Saturday that the girl, identified as Jamila, was handed over to the Yemeni government. (SPA) |
Col.
Turki al-Malki said on Saturday that the girl, identified as Jamila, was handed
over to the Yemeni government in the presence of representatives from the ICRC,
the Saudi Red Crescent the Human Rights Commission and the Head of the Child
Protection Unit in Armed Conflict led by the Joint Forces of the Alliance.
Malki
said that the Yemeni National Army forces captured the father of the child
during the liberation operations of Saada.
said that the Yemeni National Army forces captured the father of the child
during the liberation operations of Saada.
He
pointed out that during the Yemeni National Army forces advance in the area, an
armed vehicle attacked them led by a Houthi fighter.
pointed out that during the Yemeni National Army forces advance in the area, an
armed vehicle attacked them led by a Houthi fighter.
During
the monitoring process, a child was identified with the commander of the
vehicle and the Yemeni armed forces took precautionary measures to prevent the
vehicle from being targeted for the safety of the child.
the monitoring process, a child was identified with the commander of the
vehicle and the Yemeni armed forces took precautionary measures to prevent the
vehicle from being targeted for the safety of the child.
During
the arrest of the driver of the armed vehicle carrying a number of weapons, a
four-year-old girl was found dressed in boys clothing.
the arrest of the driver of the armed vehicle carrying a number of weapons, a
four-year-old girl was found dressed in boys clothing.
The
commander of the vehicle was identified as her father, who used her presence on
the battlefield as a human shield. Using children and minors as shields go
against the rules of engagement, especially with regard to child protection
applied by the coalition forces.
commander of the vehicle was identified as her father, who used her presence on
the battlefield as a human shield. Using children and minors as shields go
against the rules of engagement, especially with regard to child protection
applied by the coalition forces.
The
leadership of the coalition’s joint forces represented by the Unit for the
Protection of Children in Armed Conflict provide the necessary medical and full
care of the infant child. She was then delivered on Saturday to the legitimate
government in the presence of her relatives and financial assistance was
provided to both the girl and her family.
leadership of the coalition’s joint forces represented by the Unit for the
Protection of Children in Armed Conflict provide the necessary medical and full
care of the infant child. She was then delivered on Saturday to the legitimate
government in the presence of her relatives and financial assistance was
provided to both the girl and her family.
Malki
stressed that the actions of the Houthi armed militias was a clear and explicit
violation of international humanitarian law by recruiting and enlisting
children in the battlefield as well as using them as human shields to ensure
their movement and not being targeted because they represent legitimate
military objectives.
stressed that the actions of the Houthi armed militias was a clear and explicit
violation of international humanitarian law by recruiting and enlisting
children in the battlefield as well as using them as human shields to ensure
their movement and not being targeted because they represent legitimate
military objectives.
