Egypt recruiting children 'to fight IS militants' in northern Sinai
Egypt recruiting children 'to fight IS militants' in northern Sinai
Children below the age of 18 are being recruited as child soldiers in Egypt's North Sinai, fighting for pro-government militias in the face of insurgency in the peninsula, according to a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
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North Sinai, where child soldiers are reportedly recruited, has faced insurgency for years [Getty]
Egyptian children are being recruited to fight for pro-government militias in theÌýÌýwhere an Islamic State group insurgency is raging, °®Âþµºâ€™s Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-JadeedÌýreported on Wednesday.
Images circulated online showÌýchildrenÌýcarrying guns as part of armed tribal formations, apparently taking part inÌýmilitary operations in the cities of and .
These operations areÌýaimed at crushing anÌýÌýin the peninsula - mostÌýÌýby IS militants -Ìýin an area blighted by instability and poverty.
Alleged members of the Sinai Tribal Union have broadcasted videos on various platforms, including Facebook, showing armed children in its ranks.
The Sinai Tribal UnionÌýis believed to be affiliated with the Egyptian Intelligence Services.
Witnesses told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the tribal forceÌýencourages children, agedÌýunder-18, to take part in counter-insurgency operations, particularly those with family members already in the force.
In a bid to find new , the Ìýhas also resorted toÌýrecruiting homeless people in the Sinai, witnesses said.
The does not prevent orÌýreturn children found in theÌýtribal militias despite more than 100 of themÌýbeing killed in battle, according to Zohdi Jawad.
"When you convince a generation to take up arms as a solution to the prevailing crises and problems, then you only expect chaos.ÌýThere is no law, no reason, or conscience that accepts children being part of the war,"Ìýhe told the newspaper.
Rights groups, such as the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, said the phenomenon of child recruitment, which is against international law,Ìýhas become "alarming".Ìý
International law stresses the protection of children’s rights, especially during armed conflict.
The Sinai Foundation for has urgedÌýauthorities to observe Egyptian law, which states the minimum age for military recruitment is 18.
The group also called on officialsÌýto "comprehensively prevent the involvement of children in armed actions through tribal groups loyal to the army in Sinai".
Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as is prohibited under international humanitarian law - treaty and custom - and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
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