Syrian children dream of better future amid bloody crisis

Updated: 2014-11-17 13:17

(Xinhua)

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Aside from the children who have been affected by the conflict, there are other kids who have been dragged to hold weapons, as seen in many videos by the Islamic State (IS) militant group and other extremist organizations in the rebel-held areas across Syria.

The radical groups released many videos over the span of the Syrian crisis, showing small kids and teenagers being trained to use rifles and shotguns while blurting out hate, and sectarian remarks. The IS has either closed the schools in areas under its control or changed the curriculums to fit its radical teachings.

Tiku said the radicalization of kids is of a great concern to the UNICEF and the international community, warning that "you risk a whole generation being radicalized."

"The radicalization of children, the use of children in armed insurgent work is really a grave child rights' violation and the international community is extremely concerned about this rising trend of the use of children as young as 12 and 13 and all the way up 18 years of age being drafted into this war by a variety of non- state actors."

He said the best way to alleviate the suffering of the children in Syria is to reach a cessation of violence.

"There is nothing better than a complete cessation of hostilities and a complete normalcy returning to this country so that we can get on with somehow a building and rebuilding the lives of these children that have been so tragically affected by the crisis."

Syrian government officials have stressed resolve to provide all the needs of the Syrian children.

Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said last month that his government is committed to provide everything to achieve welfare of the Syrian children, including the health and educational services.

The Syrian government will also provide education for Syrian children free of charge, said Mekdad, pointing out to the efforts excreted by the government to help over four million and half children to attend their schools in the 2014 education year despite the crisis in Syria, holding the radical groups responsible for disrupting the education of children in several hotspots across Syria.

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