In June 2015, Iraqi officials reported that as many as 500 children were kidnapped by
ISIS to serve as suicide bombers and child soldiers.
The use of children in combat is an unfortunately common occurrence around the world, despite
being internationally outlawed and condemned.
So how does ISIS recruit child soldiers?
It is impossible to determine how many children have been influenced or forced into joining
the terrorist group ISIS.
But some reports have suggested that as of 2014 there were at least 800 members under
18, and today that number is likely much higher.
In fact, a Human Rights group has noted that between January and late-March of 2015, 400
children were recruited.
That’s more than three times the number of new adult soldiers recruited during the
same time period.
Some even say that ISIS takes in two to three hundred child soldiers every month.
The conscription of children is partially the result of the poverty surrounding ISIS
controlled territories.
With no other options for food and shelter, many see the financially wealthy ISIS as an
alternative.
These young fighters are referred to as “Cubs of the Caliphate”.
Although many children are kidnapped, a number join voluntarily, influenced by the potentially
high salary for fighters.
Others are even sent or sold to terrorist training camps by their parents, in the hopes
of instilling Sharia teachings and military experience.
And although a kidnapped or voluntary recruit has a chance of coming home if their parents
are able to track them down, it can cost a significant sum of money to bribe the child’s
captors into releasing them.
Despite a shocking propaganda video showing a child soldier executing two purported spies,
most children don’t take an active part in combat.
More frequently they help older fighters with things like stocking ammunition, cooking,
cleaning and guarding.
Some are reportedly mentally challenged and are forced to act as suicide bombers without
comprehending the situation.
Allegedly, new child recruits are entered into a fast tracked 45-day “legitimacy training”
course, which is followed by three months of “war courses”.
Some videos suggest that these are combinations of ideological indoctrination and military
training
Certain sources say that child membership is increasing because ISIS’s overall membership
is decreasing.
Since children are particularly susceptible to indoctrination, they are easier to recruit.
And the use of young fighters in propaganda videos can be seen as an attempt to convince
more youths to join their ranks.
As countries around the world continue fighting against ISIS, the idea of fighting against
children is a surefire way of bringing down morale, and might be the terrorist group’s
most despicable plan yet.
Believe it or not, women from all over the globe have also been joining the Islamic State.
To learn about the reasons behind this phenomenon, watch our full video here now.
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