Yemen girl being used as ‘human shield’ saved

Najran: The Arab coalition spokesman Colonel Turki Al Maliki said on Saturday ‘Jameela’, a 4-year-old girl used as a human shield by terrorists, was saved and handed over to a representative of the legitimate government of Yemen.

The girl was reunited with her family in the presence of representatives of International Committee of the Red Cross, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Human Rights Commission and Director of the Child Protection Unit in the Coalition’s Joint Forces Command.

Col. Al Maliki explained that the Yemen National Army intercepted a military vehicle belonging to Al Houthi militia during an operation to liberate Saada governorate. They found a 4-year-old girl dressed in boys’ clothes. Upon investigation, it was discovered the driver was her father, an Al Houthi militia field commander carrying advanced tactical weapons.

The child was being used as a human shield on the battlefield, as the terrorist Iranian-backed Al Houthi militia knew the coalition’s rules of engagement, especially those related to child protection.

The Coalition Joint Forces, represented by its Child Protection Unit, provided necessary medical care to the child, communicated and coordinated her safe transfer to her family. She was handed over to the legitimate government of Yemen, in the presence of her family and relatives yesterday. The Joint Forces Command also provided financial aid to the child and her family.

Col. Al Malki said Al Houthi actions are in flagrant defiance of international humanitarian law, as they involve recruiting children, putting them on the battlefield and using them as human shields.