Skip to content

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

12-year-old sniper talks about his work - 'I didn't feel anything'

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes
Children are widely being used as soldiers by all sides.

Given the long and brutal nature of the civil war in Syria, it is no surprise that children are also being recruited into service, allegedly by all sides. Although this is in violation of laws intended to protect children, the laws are clearly not enforced in times of war.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/23/2014 (9 years ago)

Published in Middle East

Keywords: child, soldiers, syria, war, human rights, sniper, 12

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In a chilling story originally published by a Lebanese news agency and documented by CNS News, a 12-year-old boy talks about his work as a sniper for the al-Nursa front. The child, according to the report, joined the al-Qaeda-linked brigade after his father was killed by Syrian government forces.

The boy, as quoted by CNS, said "I get up in the morning and try to shoot some soldiers. Sometimes I manage to shoot one or two, and sometimes I don't. There's nothing to it, I feel fine. I killed my first soldier on this front. When I killed him, I didn't feel anything. He was the first, but then came a second and a third. . . I've gotten used to being a sniper."

Save Christians now by doing your part to aid those in harm's way.

The report explains the boy is a volunteer, and not pressed into service. Many children reportedly join the rebel forces who provide education and support after the death of a father.

Using children in war is considered a war crime and a violation of their human rights, but in times of war, laws are silent. It is also difficult to punish the offending parties when everyone is involved and the children themselves are signing up.

Groups like the al-Nursa front are thought to be actively recruiting boys to fight in their ranks. According to the CNS report, one man was said to praise child soldiers, pointing out that they do not question orders, only obey.

Although child recruits are common, it is also common for children to be forced into service. Children fill combat roles as well as support roles. International law also forbids this use of children in war.

The entire world is igniting and with so many parents already dead, the children are next.

---


'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'


Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Prayer of the Day logo
Saint of the Day logo

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.