UN says ISIS using children as suicide bombers

The UN representative is horrified by disregard to children’s lives shown by the Islamic State and other extremist groups which are using children as suicide bombers, RIA Novosti reported.

“I remain deeply concerned over recent reports of ISIS targeting minorities, including children and women, in the growing area under their control in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has tasked boys as young as 13 to carry weapons, guard strategic locations or arrest civilians. Other children are used as suicide bombers,” Leila Zerrougui, a senior United Nations official stated addressing the UN Security Council on the subject of children in armed conflict.

The Islamic State militants have gained control over parts of eastern Syria and Iraq’s northern and western regions, threatening all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and Izadi Kurds, and committing mass executions of civilians and armed forces in the controlled areas.

According to the UN, up to 700 children have been killed or maimed in Iraq since the beginning of the year.

In Gaza, over 500 children were killed and more than 1,300 injured.