On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the child Omar Abdul Rahim Qader, born in 2009 and originally from the city of Manbij in the eastern countryside of Aleppo Governorate, was kidnapped by members of the Revolutionary Youth “Jowanen Shorshkar” affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces from the city of Ayn al-Arab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo Governorate for forced conscription.
According to what the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented from reliable local sources, members of the Revolutionary Youth kidnapped the child Omar while he was in front of his home in the city of Ayn al-Arab and then took him to one of their recruitment centers.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights notes that his family was not informed of the recruitment process, and the child was prevented from communicating with his relatives or allowing them to visit him. The network fears that the child 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 affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and collecting 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: [email protected]
Legal Conclusions:
- The abduction of the child Omar Abdel Rahim Qader and forced recruitment constitute a flagrant violation of Article 38 of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which obliges controlling powers to take all feasible measures to ensure that children under the age of 16 do not take part in hostilities. Since the child was under 18 at the time of the incident, this constitutes a clear violation of the Convention.
- The recruitment of children under 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 amounts to inhuman treatment under the Geneva Conventions.
- The denial of contact with family and failure to disclose the child’s whereabouts constitute enforced disappearance under the definition of 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.
- Abducting a child 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.
SNHR Recommendations:
- Immediately and unconditionally release the child Omar Abdul Rahim Qader, and ensure his safe return to his family, along with providing him with psychological and social 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.
