UN: Over 700 Grave Violations Against Children in Yemen in 2025

Aden – The United Nations has confirmed that parties to the conflict in Yemen committed more than 700 grave violations against children in 2025, marking a sharp increase of over a quarter compared to the previous year.

In his annual report on children and armed conflict, released Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the organization verified 742 violations against 652 children (550 boys and 102 girls) between January and December 2025. 

This represents a 27.3% rise from 2024, when 583 violations were documented against 504 children.

The violations included killings and maiming, recruitment and use of children, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, military use of educational and health facilities, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and detention of aid workers. No cases of abduction were verified during the year.

According to the report:

431 children (338 boys and 93 girls) were killed or maimed, including 150 fatalities and 281 injuries.

35% of casualties were attributed to unidentified actors, while Houthis were responsible for 23%, and government forces and allied factions for 19%.

Airstrikes by the United States and Israel caused 102 child casualties (45 killed, 57 injured).

Explosive weapons accounted for 140 child victims, and drone strikes for 112.

The UN also verified the recruitment of 262 children (259 boys and 3 girls), with 188 used in combat roles and 60 in support functions. Fifty-two boys were killed or maimed during recruitment, while 115 children were released from armed groups.

Additionally, 12 cases of sexual violence against children were confirmed, alongside 10 attacks on schools and hospitals. A total of 71 facilities (63 schools and 8 hospitals) were used for military purposes, most of them by Houthi forces.

The Secretary-General stressed that these findings highlight the urgent need for stronger protection measures for children in Yemen, warning that the ongoing conflict continues to devastate young lives and undermine the country’s future.