On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Nujan Ahmed Al-Khalil, a 14-year-old girl from the village of Qarzihal, located in the city of Afrin, northwest of Aleppo Governorate, was kidnapped by members of the Revolutionary Youth “Jowanen Shorshker” affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo, for forced conscription.
According to what the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented from reliable local sources, members of the Revolutionary Youth lured the child, Noujan, while she was attending a party held by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. They then abducted her and took her to one of the group’s recruitment centers.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights notes that her family was not informed of the recruitment process, and the girl was prevented from communicating with her family or allowing them to visit her. The network fears that the girl will be involved in military operations, whether directly or indirectly. The network also confirms that approximately 413 children are still being held in forced recruitment camps run by the Syrian Democratic Forces.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering more evidence and information. Therefore, we hope that anyone with information or details related to this incident will provide them to us via our official email address: [email protected]
Legal Conclusions:
- The abduction of the child Nujan Al-Khalil and forced recruitment constitute a flagrant violation of Article 38 of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires controlling powers to take all feasible measures to ensure that children under the age of 18 do not take part in hostilities. Since the child was 14 years old, she was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, making the incident a clear violation of the Convention.
- The recruitment of children under the age of 18 into armed conflict is a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Abduction for the purpose of forced recruitment also amounts to inhuman treatment under the Geneva Conventions.
- The denial of contact with the family and the failure to disclose the child’s whereabouts constitute an enforced disappearance under the 2006 International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It also constitutes an unlawful deprivation of liberty, without legal justification, in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- The abduction of the girl on her way to school violates Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the right to education, as well as Article 16 on the protection of family life and privacy.
Syrian Network for Human Rights Recommendations:
- The immediate and unconditional release of the child, Nujan Ahmed Al-Khalil, and ensuring her safe return to her family, along with the provision of psychosocial support.
- Cease all child recruitment by the Syrian Democratic Forces, including its civilian wings such as the “Revolutionary Youth.”
- Open an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the child’s abduction and other cases of child recruitment, and hold those responsible for violations accountable.
- Allow international organizations, particularly the International Commission of Inquiry, UNICEF, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to access recruitment camps and ensure the safety of children detained there.
- The transitional government in Damascus must protect all Syrian citizens from all forms of violations against them and hold perpetrators accountable.
