Children Protection Office in conflicts hand in 54 minors to their relatives

The Children Protection Office in the conflicts in Al-Jazira region, in cooperation with Syrian Democratic Forces, the SDF, handed in minors to their relatives.

3 October, 2021 10:37

Qamishlo

Today, the Child Protection Office in Armed Conflicts in Al-Jazeera region, in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces, held a press conference in the Self-Defense Forces office in Amuda district of Qamishlo canton, about handing over a new batch of minors who joined the SDF to their families.

In accordance with the international agreements signed between the United Nations, the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces regarding the prevention of recruiting the minors, 54 minors were handed over to their families.

The handover took place after the committee confirmed their legal documents confirming that they are underage, in the presence of the co-chairs of the Child Protection Office in Armed Conflicts in Qamishlo and Al-Hasakah, Khaled Jabr and Maree Muhammad, in addition to the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Akeed Akri.

During the press conference, Khaled Jabr said: "After months of joint work, 54 minors were excluded from the military forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces in accordance with international covenants and what was signed directly with the United Nations not to include minors in the military forces."

Khaled Jabr stressed: "Children must be returned to their families as they are the natural place for them. The Syrian war that has been going on for ten years has negatively affected the psyche of the child. We will continue to return these children to their schools."

Jabr indicated that so far, "about 150 minors have been excluded from the military forces and handed over to their families."

In response to a question about the reason for the recruitment in military institutions, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Akid Akri, said: “Who will be recruited into the military forces is being examined, but there were many who lost their identities because of the war in Girê Spî and Sere Kaniyê. Which led to their recruitment."

He confirmed that the Syrian Democratic Forces will continue their efforts to keep the minors away from the military forces. The decision includes both girls and boys."

ANHA