ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Wednesday rejected accusations that its forces are recruiting young men in Raqqa, describing the claims as “completely false.” “Some parties have circulated false allegations about our forces carrying out operations they describe as ‘recruiting’ young men in the city of Raqqa,” the SDF said in a statement. “We categorically state that these allegations are completely false and have no basis in reality.” The SDF, the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava), said the incident in question was “a routine security check to verify personal identities and ensure the integrity of identification documents,” aimed at maintaining “the stability and security of the region and the people from any violations.” Raqqa is the former de facto capital of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. The SDF called on media outlets “to verify accuracy and rely on official sources.” The denial followed remarks by Syrian journalist Aboud Hamam, who according to his Facebook profile works for Syrian state media. Speaking on the state-run al-Ikhbariya TV on Tuesday, Hamam accused the SDF of “arresting young people” for “forced conscription” in Raqqa. Other guests on the channel made similar accusations. The SDF has previously faced criticism for child recruitment. In 2020, its commander-in-chief, Mazloum Abdi, signed a UN-backed action plan banning the practice, setting up a complaints mechanism and committing to release minors from its ranks. Dozens of children have since been returned to their families. In an October 2024 report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that despite the SDF’s pledge to end child recruitment, the Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria, a Kurdish group in Rojava, has recruited boys and girls as young as 12.
