"Students, teachers, and schools often got caught in the crosshairs when government armed forces and militias and opposition armed groups deployed in at least 54 schools in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, during the 201-2012 uprising. Troops from both sides used schools as barracks, bases, observation points, firing positions, and places of detention. Classrooms in the Crosshairs is based on extensive visits to schools in Sanaa, and interviews with students, teachers, parents, government officials, and members of the military and armed groups. It documents how the military use of schools endangered children's safety and their right to education. Many schools suffered significant damage to their classrooms and other facilities in attacks targeting the forces occupying the schools. Some schools came under attack while students and teachers were present. Students in occupied schools had their studies disrupted and enrollment and attendance dropped. Girls' education suffered even greater harm when soldiers occupied their schools, as many parents preferred to withdraw daughters from class rather than allow them to study alongside armed men or transfer to schools with boys. The report calls on the Yemeni government to prohibit armed forces and armed groups from using schools or other education facilities in a manner that either violates international humanitarian law or the right to education. The government should also assess the damage done to schools and educational programming during the unrest and assist schools with repairs and remedial programs. In addition, donor governments should assist Yemen in achieving these aims"--Page 4 of cover."This 46-page report details the occupation of schools by government security forces, militias, and opposition armed groups, risking the lives and education of tens of thousands of students. Forces on both sides used schools as barracks, bases, surveillance posts, and firing positions. Combatants also stored weapons and ammunition, detained prisoners, and in some cases tortured or otherwise abused detainees on school grounds or in school buildings"--Publisher's website.