SANA'A: Ahmed al-Qurashi, the director of al Seyaj organization for the Protection of Children in Yemen recently warned against al Qaeda's offshoot's new plan of recruiting children for its operations as they happen to be easily manipulated and more pliable than adults. In essence al Qaeda said al-Qurashi is brainwashing the children to do their biddings, with total disregards to their well-being, only thinking of serving their violent “ideology” and promoting a biased understanding of Islam. Al-Seyaj organization was founded in 2008 to protect, document and expose crimes and violence against children in Yemen and provide legal assistance when required. Situation According to al-Qurashi, al Qaeda which is currently raging a war against the government forces in Yemen southern province of Abyan, has been using child soldiers to fight off the armed forces, going against every moral codes and international standards, as they estimate that children are much more “disposable” than adults and more obedient. The Director revealed that his NGO had compiled incriminating data proving that “Ansar al Shariah”, the group operating in Abyan, was extensively recruiting young boys under the age of 18. “No one can provide a specific number for al-Qaeda's recruits among children or adults because of the great danger involved, but we are certain that the percentage of child soldiers under the age of 18 is not less than 40% of the overall number of recruits. The recruits are tied to the organization more on ideological grounds than as a source of livelihood, as opposed to boys younger than 18 who join government forces as a source of livelihood,” said al-Qurashi. Furthermore, the Director claimed that the Islamist organization was coercing prominent families in the region into letting their sons enroll as to better convince the most impoverished of the “good” of their cause, arguing that notables were already amidst their ranks. One has to remember that a great majority of Yemenis in this region are still illiterate and rely greatly on their Sheikhs for moral guidance. Crimes With ever increasing territories within the province, with major cities being still under their yoke, the terror militants have slowly organizing themselves socially, imposing Taliban-like rules over the civilian population, ruling by fear. Residents in Jaar and Zinjibar, the militants' bases are now leaving under-siege, both physically and mentally as all those who dare oppose the group's ideology are risking death. Although “Ansar al Shariah” is claiming to be putting in practice the Laws of the Holy Quran, several scholars and religious figures have already condemned its actions as they said the group was operating outside Islam, not only misunderstanding its teachings but also disregarding its list of requirements before passing judgments. Back in August, al-Qurashi explained that a 15 year-old boy were executed for he dared contradict his superior and another because he was suspected of having killed a fellow-recruit. Both were not granted a fair trial, as the militants preferred to just get rid of the dissidents. “The problem lies in the intense fear and reticence on the part of families, which prevents them from objecting,” said the Director. He further added “The group also cut off a 15-year-old boy's hand on charges of theft of electric cables and cut off the hand of another person who later died of his wounds. These practices are similar to what happened in Afghanistan. I want to emphasize that the recruitment of children is a crime against humanity and a war crime under prevailing international norms, so what about the execution of a child or cutting off his hand by a terrorist organization that does not have the right to do so We are also not ruling out cases of other abuses against child soldiers. However, their families and Yemeni tribal communities cannot disclose such crimes because according to the traditions and customs of [Yemeni] society the disclosure of such crimes is taboo and they bring shame on the tribe”. To add insults to injuries, al Seyav is now alleging that the terrorists are using children in their suicide attacks, using remote-controlled detonator to explode the devices carried by children. Not really understanding what they are doing those children are being turned into sacrificial lambs, brought to al-Qaeda pillory for the sake of a violent and murderous ideology. “The families of those soldiers are often unaware that their son is involved with an armed group. They observe his behaviour and perceive it to be devotion to religious practices and performance of rites, and they are unaware of the unknown fate that awaits their son,” said al-Qurashi. BM
