[20/05/2018 03:06]

RIYADH-SABA
The Arab Coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government against Houthi rebels has handed over to the government a child girl that her father, a rebel fighter, had used her as a human shield.

The spokesperson of the Coalition Col. Turki al-Malki said on Saturday that the 4-year-old girl, identified as Jamilah, rescued from the rebels was handed over to a representative of the Yemeni government in the presence of officials from the ICRC, the Saudi Red Crescent the Human Rights Commission and the Arab Coalition's Child Protection Unit.

Malki said that the Yemeni army battling the Houthis in Saada province spotted Jamilah on a military vehicle that a rebel fighter was manning and attacking the army soldiers with. Careful not hurt the child, the soldiers abstained from destroying the vehicle and instead managed an attack that only neutralized its firepower. Then the soldiers went forward, arrested the vehicle's driver, Jamila's father, and rescued Jamilah as well.

The vehicle was laden with ammunition and arms.

The Coalition provided Jamilah with the necessary medical and other care before handing her through the government to her relatives with a financial aid to them.

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