Armed groups in Syria, Iraq recruit children as young as 14 — UN

THE UNITED NATIONS-The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization is recruiting children, including those as young as 14 years of age, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his annual report on children in armed conflict, according to Itar Tass.

Children recruited by the ISIS undergo military training. “Children fighting with ISIL are reportedly paid like adults (35,000 Syrian pounds, approximately $200) and undergo both weapons and “jihadist” indoctrination training,” the report said.

The Russian agency reported that the UN noted that apart from the ISIL, other armed groups are also actively recruiting children in Syria. These armed groups include units affiliated with the so-called Free Syrian Army, the Kurdish People Protection Units, Ahrar al-Sham, Jhabat al-Nusra and others.

Syria becomes one of the most dangerous places for children in the world. The report said that thousands of children have been killed since the outset of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, and “the killing and maiming of children has increased exponentially in 2013”.

H.M