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The Shiite militia movement, known as the Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Units, is operating a military training center for children in the predominantly Sunni town of Balad in Salahadin province.
"We followed the order of the high Shiite cleric - Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Once on a Friday sermon, he said children should be trained to be fully prepped for any possibility since the future of Iraq is at stake," one of the young trainee told Rudaw.
The recruits are taught Islam as well as how to take part in battles.
"Beyond learning the tactics of fighting and training, the reward of martyrdom in the fight against ISIS is also a subject being taught at the training center," said a trainer at Balad camp.
Critics of the program have expressed concern that providing military training to the youth will alter the fabric of Iraqi society.
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