Syrian Democratic Forces Accused of Abducting Kurdish Minor Farida Khalil Mohammed

Syrian Democratic Forces Accused of Abducting Kurdish Minor Farida Khalil Mohammed

Apr 23 2025

ARK News.. In what rights observers describe as a continuation of a troubling pattern of child recruitment, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been accused of abducting 16-year-old Kurdish girl Farida Khalil Mohammed from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo.

According to a source speaking to ARK News, members of the Revolutionary Youth Movement affiliated with the SDF, were responsible for the abduction, allegedly aiming to forcibly recruit her into a military training camp.

In a video appeal, Farida’s mother made an emotional plea to the PYD administration and international human rights organizations, urging immediate intervention to secure the safe return of her daughter.

The incident comes despite a formal action plan signed by SDF commander Mazloum Kobani with Virginia Gamba, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, committing to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children under 18 in military operations.

Yet, rights monitors and local sources report that child recruitment practices continue in areas under SDF control, raising serious concerns about the implementation and enforcement of international agreements.

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