Yemen war has killed 17 children so far in 2022: UNICEF

The Yemen war has taken 17 children's lives so far in 2022 as violence continues to reign, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday.

UNICEF Middle East chief Ted Chaiban said this figure is almost twice that for the entirety of December.

"Children in Yemen continue to be the first and most to pay, almost seven years on in one of the most brutal armed conflicts in recent history.

"UNICEF calls on parties to the conflict in Yemen and those with influence over them to respect international law and protect civilians, including children, at all times."

Chaiban said civilians and civilian sites, such as schools and hospitals mustn't be attacked and "must always be respected".

"Since the conflict escalated in Yemen, the UN verified that more than 10,000 children have been injured or killed. The number is likely much higher," he continued.

"Too many children are impacted in a war that is not of their making. It is high time for those fighting to stop the violence and reach a political solution."

The United Nations has warned that millions of children in Yemen are at risk of acute malnutrition as the country continues to suffer with a lack of food' https://t.co/yA87J7MsTu

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) February 15, 2021

The war in Yemen started in 2014, the year the Houthi rebels took the capital Sanaa and vast swathes of other land.

The Houthis are backed by Iran, while the Yemeni government is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition.

Human rights organisations have accused the coalition, rebels and others involved in the fighting of committing serious abuses.

The UN has called Yemen's war the world's worst humanitarian crisis.