52 cases of child recruitment in northeast Syria in 2023: Syrians for Truth and Justice

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has not yet fulfilled its promise to end the recruitment and use of children in its areas, the human rights organization Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) said in a report on Friday.

"Both military and non-military entities licensed by AANES are still keeping dozens of children away from their families," the report said.

The Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) documented over 52 cases of child recruitment in AANES areas throughout 2023.

Read More: 2,990 children recruited by armed groups in Syria between 2021-2022: UN report

"Of these cases, 29 involved minor males, while 23 involved minor females. The majority of cases occurred in Qamishli, with 22 cases reported, followed by Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo with 13 cases, Manbij with 7 cases, Raqqa with 6 cases, and Ayn al-Arab/Kobanî with 4 cases."

The human rights organization said the Revolutionary Youth (RY) (locally referred to as Ciwanên Şoreşger, and known to be affiliated to the Democratic Union Party (PYD)) was responsible for 43 cases while the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and other military groups of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were involved in the remaining cases.

Read More: Alleged kidnapping of underage girl by PYD-linked forces in Aleppo

Although the SDF had committed to measures in the action plan signed in 2019 with the United Nations to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18, human rights report show child recruitment continues in northeast Syria.

According to international human rights law, 18 is the minimum legal age for recruitment and use of children in hostilities.