UN, Houthi Rebels Agree to Stop Children Recruitment to Civil War

The United Nations (UN) announced that the Iranian-backed Houthi group has signed an "action plan" with the international organization to stop the recruitment of children in the conflict in Yemen for more than seven years.

The United Nations has long sought to reach an agreement with the Houthis after verifying the recruitment of about 3,500 children in the Yemeni civil war, but the number could be much higher.

The UN spokesman in New York, Stephane Dujarric, stated that more than two weeks after reaching a truce, the Houthi group signed a plan of action with the UN to “protect children in Yemen.”

The UN plan includes a ban on the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, even in support roles.

The agreement gives the Houthis six months to identify all children under the age of 18 in preparation for their demobilization and reintegration into Yemeni society.