[UPDATE-Oct 9, 2026, US-Israel, Iran War] MidEast, Gaza-Hamas, Lebanon-Hezbollah: Reaction and Analysis

US says Iran-backed Houthis profit from trafficking, recruit child soldiers Human trafficking remains a lucrative part of Yemen’s war economy that “greatly benefits” the Iran-backed Houthis, who also recruit children and exploit migration routes for financial gain, the US State Department said in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons report. The report designated Yemen a “Special Case” for the 11th consecutive year, citing the war, humanitarian crisis and limited government control. It also said Yemeni armed forces and government-supported groups have been implicated in recruiting and using child soldiers. The report said Houthi-run “summer camps” are used to recruit children and…