Iraq’s Teenage Terrorists
It is undoubted that the war in Iraq is taking an unjust toll on the countries children, and this toll leaves not only physical scars, but mental scars that will leave a permanent impression on the Iraqi youth. Children are the innocent victims of wars waged by adults, the blood of children that has flowed through the streets leaves many to question the validity of the war, and many others to fight harder for freedom, so that other generations of children will not have to suffer as this one has. But what about when the one who spills the blood of so many others is only a child themselves? Who is then the victim, or are both the killer and the victim in actual reality victims?
Diya Muhammad Hussein is only 16 years old and he is a seen as a terrorist, and he is not alone in his youthful insurgency. Diya and others like him lay mines, plan ambushes, and prepare to kill Americans and sympathizer’s in the name of Iraq. Youth provides a catalyst for such action in a country growing in anticipation more and more as the years of war and occupation roll by. Teenagers and children who are growing more and more hostile as the war looks to continue with no visible end in site. Diya is currently in prison after a failed attempt to blow up a US Marine convoy, and while he may be securely held others like him roam free planning more attacks. More about Diya can be seen in the Spiegel article; A Teenage Terrorist Tells His Story.
The Face of a Killer, 16 year old, Diya Muhammad Hussein
Diya is not alone, as the number of teenage insurgents in Iraq has grown, as has the use of children as weapons of war. However the face of teenage Iraq killers is not the only image to escape the country, as many have proved to be hero’s and allies over the years of the now long running war. Despite the positive images that can be found in Iraq the threat of children insurgents is serious and cannot be easily avoided, and should be given serious attention.
The Pentagon has warned that if U.S. reconstruction efforts fail in Iraq, punishing unemployment could drive the country’s next generation of workers to join the jihad. 40% of Iraq’s population of some 26 million is under the age of 15, leaving the countries youth vulnerable and susceptible to insurgency.
“If economic opportunities don’t improve, the children of Iraq represent ‘a potential pool of recruits for terrorism,’ …Iraqi youth currently have a “negative” impression of America due to deteriorating economic conditions. ‘They have justified frustration,’…that their resentment will only deepen if economic conditions don’t change, says Paul Brinkley, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense at the Pentagon ( Pentagon sees 5 million child terrorists in Iraq ).
Many children in Iraq have lost their parents, siblings, friends and other family members to the fighting, and like many they seek justification for the loss, they seek revenge and thus the Allied troops are key targets for this anger. However Allied troops are not the only targets, Iraqi troops and police are also heavy targets in this youthful insurgency, and all agree the threat of children weighs heavy on ones mind, as to catch a child is far more difficult than an adult. It is the duty of all to protect and serve the children, and thus looking into children’s eyes for hate and death is a difficult task.
The children of Iraq live in the shadows of war, and one can only hope that for the majority of children that the shadows of war do not cast upon them the feelings of hate and violence. And regarless the children of Iraq need our utmost attention, they need both physical and mental healthcare professionals to assist them in dealing with the violent images of war, and the feelings of loss and resentment.
Links and Articles of Interest:
The Children of Iraq - A photo essay
Young Children Fight US Troops in Iraq
Teenage Ally Helps Soldiers in Iraq
Iraq’s Children In Shadow Of War
Insurgents using children to fight US-led forces
Report: Iraqi insurgents using children
Suicide bomber a handicapped child
Iraq Insurgents Using Children, Corpses for Bomb
Iraq insurgents used children in car bombing
December 27th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
The tragedy is the loss of innocence of these children. The parallel to African guerrilla warfare is important to note. This is the main theme of modern war and needs to be stopped. Otherwise, the next generation of these kids are going to be worse than their adult models.