2.7.1 Child recruitment by armed groups

2.7.1 Child recruitment by armed groups

Minimum age of recruitment in Iraq is 18 years old; there is no military conscription. The same minimum age applies to armed groups operating in the country under the government’s umbrella.854 In March 2023, the Iraqi authorities and the UN signed an agreement to prevent the recruitment of children by the PMF.855 Up to September 2024, no confirmed violations of the agreement by the PMF were recorded.856 In September 2024, the UN reported a ‘significant increase’ in cases of child recruitment by armed actors – particularly the People’s Defence Forces of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (HPG/PKK) and ISIL – including for combat roles.857 According to the same report, many cases go unreported or cannot be verified.858 Recruitment of seven children for combat roles was verified, including six by HPG/PKK and one by ISIL. Eight children were reported to be abducted by armed groups, including for the purpose of recruitment, namely six by HPG/PKK and two by ISIL.859 In the June 2025 report, CRC welcomed ‘successful implementation’ of the agreement to prevent the recruitment and use of children by the PMF but it also stated that child recruitment has not been criminalised.860 Out-of-school children were more at risk of exploitation, including recruitment by armed groups.861