Child Soldier's Experience in Yemen

I went with them.

When I arrived

in Sana'a.

We went to fight America and Israel. I

urge children like me not to throw themselves into

the front lines.

War steals the dreams of children and young people

and drives them to the front lines. Bashar, 18,

dreamed of continuing his education until he

found himself at the Bab al-Mandab front, a prisoner of

the National Shield Forces, while his sick mother awaits

his return. Here is his story in his own words.

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. My name is Bashar Ali Ali

Jihad Shuwaie.

I am from Saada Governorate, Haydan District, Dhawab.

I was sitting at home, studying and feeling good.

My mother is sick.

She has an illness that changes. It gets worse if she

gets upset about something or...

She's exhausted, and her hair has turned gray.

I only have one brother. I went with them.

When I arrived

in Sana'a, I went down to Izz and Arja. I joined

our camp. They filled our heads and told us

that we were going to fight America

and Israel, the Jews and Christians, and fight enemies

God and the enemies of His Messenger, and we fight those who fight.

Then

I went and was captured by the National Shield Forces. We saw

that they are Muslims, believers, and Yemenis like us.

They are nothing like what they told us about them, nor anything.

We are happy with them, we have everything and are comfortable.

I was wounded, and when I came back, they treated me, and I am

well now, happy, thank God, and safe. I

urge children like me not to throw themselves into

the front lines, that they should stay home and study, and not throw

themselves into them like I did.