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In a new video released by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), boys under the age of 15 are shown being arrested by the SDF after being forced to fight for the Islamic State near Raqqa, Syria. According to the MEMRI, the translation of the dialogue reads:
Syrian Democratic Forces member: “Surrender! You too, lie down! Lie down, quickly now!”
ISIS Children: “We are brothers. We are brothers.”
Syrian Democratic Forces member: “Take off your clothes!”
ISIS Children: “We have no weapons, you can frisk us. Everything is inside.”
Syrian Democratic Forces member: “Take off your clothes!”
ISIS Children: “All the weapons are inside.”
[…]
ISIS Children: “By Allah, ISIS forced us to join its ranks.”
Syrian Democratic Forces member: “Stand up quickly. Stand up and take off your clothes!”
ISIS Child: “Do you want me to take it off?”
Syrian Democratic Forces member: “Take it all off!”
A pile of clothes with a gun on top of them is seen
Shots are heard in the background
[…]
“These three were taken from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces. They surrendered out of fear for their lives. ISIS recruited them by force. They have surrendered, out of fear for their lives, and handed over their weapons. I advise everybody from ISIS to turn themselves in.
[…]
“These are still young children, under the age of 15. Yet ISIS sends them to the front in order to fight us. They plant in their heads the idea that we are pigs and apostates. But we came here to free our people in Al-Raqqa.”
Raqqa is the “terrorist capital” of the Islamic State. The American-allied SDF is one of many groups currently trying to take the Syrian city. According to Rudaw, a U.S. volunteer fighter with the SDF recently died in an operation to retake Raqqa.
ISIS has been increasingly more dependent on boy soldiers to fight its battles in Raqqa and elsewhere. A recent photo report shows ISIS militants training the next generation of terrorists in the countryside of Damascus, Syria. According to Fox News, “There is no mention of the amnesty or rehabilitation programs that routinely drive the discourse of Western media and human rights groups when it comes to the issue of child soldiers. Given ISIS’ unprecedented use of kids to spy, kill and die for the cause, officials know they may never be able to afford leniency.” CNN adds, “Communities that view former underage combatants as perpetrators may ostracize them, or worse — target them for reprisal killings. If seen as victims, they risk being perceived as a burden and cost to society.”
Find more ISIS news, photos and videos here.
Heavy is an independent news organization. We report acts of terror and violence so that the public may be fully informed. This may include content considered graphic, which is identified. We do not support, in any way, the individuals or organizations involved.
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