In contrast to Western European armies, such as the Bundeswehr, the age of joining the military self-defense forces in North and East Syria is at least 18 years, sometimes even 21 years.

However, there is also a problem of minors involved. This is the result of several problems. In times when self-defense was highly needed, such as when ISIS invaded Kobanê, the entire population, including minors, took up arms out of the need to protect their own existence. At time minors, especially girls, fled to the women's defense units to escape forced marriage or violence in the family. Although the Autonomous Administration as well as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and all forces organized in it have paid great attention to the age of their fighters for years, this problem arose again from time to time and the organizations implemented new control mechanisms that minimized the problem.

SDF work closely with child protection agencies

Another step has now been taken to definitively rule out the presence of minors in the armed forces. As part of the signing of a UN protocol by the self-government and the SDF, offices to protect children from war were opened in various areas. The agreement say it is a crime to take arms under the age of 18.

These offices explicitly serve to prevent minors from being accepted into military structures as this is seen as a violation of children's rights.

The first offices were opened in October and are now able to report on the first results obtained. The co-chair of the Association of Child Protection Offices of the Autonomous Administration, Newroz Ali, spoke to ANHA news agency about the many investigations that have now been initiated into violations of children's rights.

"We are in communication with UNICEF"

The offices are in close coordination with UNICEF and the SDF. The offices follow up the reports and check whether the SDF have initiate the necessary investigations. According to Ali, this work is very successful and the institution is in contact with many international organizations through UNICEF. The SDF is fully involved in this area, but both the coronavirus pandemic and the Turkish attacks represent obstacles in the implementation of the protocol, explain those responsible from the Autonomous Administration.

81 minors handed over to families

Based on the investigations carried out by the offices, 30 boys and 51 girls under 18 were identified as active in the defence forces. These minors were sent back to their families. In Rojava there are now effective mechanisms through the women's movement to combat forced marriage or violence in the family and to avoid minor’s presence in military units through a more active civil society engagement.