‘We must enter first’: Yemen’s female soldiers face war, danger and a changing society
Wearing her security uniform, usually without a Kalashnikov or even a sidearm, 36-year-old Tahani walks proudly through Taiz city's markets.
While some locals remain uneasy about seeing women in military roles, others express pride and joy that Yemeni women are serving as soldiers. Female soldiers were largely absent from public view in Yemen before the war broke out in 2015.
Today, women are serving across Yemen’s security apparatus, from police stations and prosecution offices to military checkpoints and other security posts.
Tahani is one of thousands who joined the women's police force in 2022. Since then, she has served in various security offices, participating in search operations and home raids searching for criminals.
"Yemen needs female soldiers just as it needs female teachers. When I heard about the recruitment for the women's police in Taiz, I told myself that the moment had come to achieve my dream," Tahani told Middle East Eye.
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Tahani, from a poor rural area, was a housewife. After getting divorced, she struggled to support her only child, making this job a vital source of income.
Every morning before heading to work, she cooks breakfast for herself and her son and prepares him for school. She then heads to the police station full of energy, ready to serve alongside her male and female colleagues.
“There are women who visit the police station almost daily, and only I or one of my female colleagues can inspect them and assist officers with their cases,” Tahani added.
“Yemeni society is conservative, and women usually prefer to deal with other women, so we do this job for the sake of Yemeni women.”
One of Tahani’s key duties is participating in home raids. When a suspect is inside a home, or when police suspect one might be, she carries out the operation alongside other female and male officers.
“This is one of the most dangerous tasks. We must be cautious and have our weapons drawn, and we never raid a home without a plan,” she said.
“However, female soldiers must enter first because there are usually women inside, and our traditions do not allow men to enter a home where women are present.”
Although she has the necessary tactical skills, Tahani said she has not yet had to fire at a suspect, as male soldiers typically cover her and her female colleagues from behind.
Growing presence
In 2014, there were 2,868 members of the women’s police force across the entire country. That number has grown over the past decade as both warring sides - the Houthis and the government - have recruited hundreds of female soldiers.
Last year, the United Nations Development Programme helped build the capacity of 69 female officers and soldiers in the Aden Governorate, providing training to help them perform their duties professionally.
With the recent escalation, almost all military and security units have intensified their efforts: inspections have doubled, and more raids targeting suspects have been carried out.
“This is the most serious situation since I started my job in 2022, as there are more home raids requiring female soldiers to be present,” Tahani said.
“My colleagues at checkpoints have also doubled their efforts, because, during war, weapons can be smuggled and sleeper cells can spread among residents, so we must stay vigilant.”
Sali, 43, is a colleague of Tahani with more experience, having joined the women's police force in 2016 and served at checkpoints and police stations.
She said that during military escalations, they double their efforts, and their duties extend beyond police stations into their daily lives and commutes.
“Security awareness must be high in such situations. We have to monitor all activity and people around us to prevent crime before it occurs,” Sali told MEE.
“Times of military escalation see a rise in sleeper cell activity, and many cells have already been apprehended. One of our key tasks is to monitor these threats and urge the community to remain cautious.”
Sali added that they have also been raising awareness among residents not to post photos, videos, or text updates about sensitive security and military developments that could “serve the enemy in battle, such as the location of strikes or explosions”.
Urgent need
Captain Muamer Abdulmonem, a Yemeni army officer with more than 20 years' experience, told MEE that while female soldiers play a key role in routine security, their contribution becomes critical during military escalations.
“During the recent escalation, there has been a dire need not only for female soldiers, but also for female volunteers. Many have been supporting the army and security forces, particularly by monitoring sleeper cells and unfamiliar individuals arriving in communities,” said Abdulmonem.
He noted that some sleeper cells operate under the guise of displaced families, street vendors, or beggars, making surveillance a key responsibility for female security personnel.
“There is also an urgent need for female soldiers to search female travellers, as some have been exploited to smuggle contraband, including weapons. Men cannot search women in our society, so female officers must perform these inspections.”
Although Yemen’s women’s police force was established in 2000, its presence remained minimal for years.
Abdulmonem said that female soldiers have gained greater community acceptance and assumed a far more prominent role only over the last decade.
Thaker, 31, the brother of Tahani, said the family initially hesitated to let her work as a soldier, but eventually accepted her role because she works alongside other women rather than alone.
“Tahani works with women and deals with women, so she is like any other woman working in the civil sector, and the family has accepted that,” Thaker told MEE.
“A respected woman can work anywhere to serve her country.”
Thaker believes that women are entering all kinds of professions and that society must accept female soldiers, as it is society itself that needs them to interact with women.
Increasing acceptance
Amni Qaheri, a resident who once dealt with the police when her phone was stolen, said she was happy to interact with female officers because it allowed her to speak and engage with greater freedom.
“It was a good experience to see that there are female soldiers we can deal with. I hope their numbers increase, or even that a women’s police station is established where all the staff are women, so we can have an even higher level of freedom,” Qaheri told MEE.
She is also searched by female soldiers whenever she enters Taiz city, and says she feels comfortable with the procedures because women are dealing with women and “they do their job perfectly”.
Sociologist Hail Saeed said there is growing social acceptance of women working in the police force, though it remains uneven across different regions and demographics.
“Some families and communities still harbour reservations due to the nature of security work, particularly regarding field operations or night shifts,” Saeed told MEE.
He added that female soldiers play a vital role, especially in cases involving women and minors.
“Having women in the police helps ensure greater privacy and comfort for female citizens during searches, interrogations, or when filing complaints,” Saeed said.
“It also facilitates access to information that some women might hesitate to share with a male officer due to social customs in a conservative society.”
Saeed believes community acceptance of female soldiers will continue to improve in the future, particularly if they engage effectively with the public.
“Community acceptance may expand gradually if the work of female soldiers is linked to competence, discipline, and community service, while taking cultural and social sensitivities into account.”
The names of female police officials have been changed on request.
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