Saudi Arabia's National Society for Human Rights has called for urgent international action to stop the Houthi militia's recruitment of children in Yemen, while the country faces reported missile attacks near its capital. The Saudi civil defense agency confirmed that debris from a missile interception damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh on Thursday. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted the capital's airport, with witnesses reporting smoke rising from the site.
The Saudi-led coalition intercepted three Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward the kingdom, according to Samaa TV. The missiles were launched from Yemen and aimed at areas including Khamis Mushait. The intercepted projectiles were part of a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi rebels, who have been accused of using children in their military operations. The Saudi human rights group emphasized the dangers faced by minors involved in combat, including exposure to violence and loss of education.
This follows a pattern of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, with recent incidents including missile strikes on the capital's airport. The Saudi coalition has consistently defended its actions as necessary to protect national security. The Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies since 2015. The ongoing violence has displaced thousands in Yemen, with reports of children collecting water in makeshift camps near Aden.
