The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an Action Plan with the United Nations to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18.

The Force Commander of the SDF, General Mazloum Abdi, signed on behalf of the SDF and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba, signed on behalf of the United Nations during an official ceremony at the Palais des Nations on June 29th, 2019.

Through this Action Plan, said the UN in a press release, "the SDF commits to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children, to identify and separate boys and girls currently within its ranks and to put in place preventative, protection and disciplinary measures related to child recruitment and use."

The Action Plan follows the listing of the People’s Protection Units (YPG/YPJ) for the recruitment and use of children in the Secretary-General’s annual report on Children and Armed Conflict; the YPG/YPJ operates under the command of the SDF.

Euphrates Region Autonomous Administration Executive Council Co-chair Enver Muslim said the document signed between the SDF and the UN constitutes a foundation for the international recognition of the Autonomous Administration.

Muslim said SDF is acknowledged as the primary and active force in Syria in the international arena and added: “Our people have been engaged in political, military and cultural efforts to get the forces in the Northern and Eastern Syria region recognized in the international arena.”

The SDF had signed the June 29 UN action plan that bans the conscription of minors and stipulates their protection from conflict, and many circles considered the document to be the first step and the foundation of the international recognition of the Northern and Eastern Syrian Autonomous Administration.

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