It is a rare testimony that France 24 managed to obtain. An Australian minor, child of a jihadist detained in the prison of Hassaké (north-eastern Syria), spoke on Friday January 28 in a recording provided by the NGO Human Rights Watch.

He recounts his fear and the chaos around him after fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and jihadists wishing to take control of the prison.

"I am 17 years old, I need help, we are bombarded from all sides by the Kurds and the planes", says this teenager detained in the Syrian prison.

"I saw a lot of children's bodies, my friends were killed, I'm very scared, I'm alone."

A specialist in jihadist movements at France 24, Wassim Nasr explains that this testimony - which is only an extract from several recordings provided - describes a situation that was suspected.

Testifying to the first hours of the fight, we do not know since then what this young man has become, nor how many children have been killed in this prison.

>> To read - In Syria, with the children of jihadists who are waiting to be repatriated to France

About 700 children of jihadists are detained in Hassaké prison, including 150 of non-Arab nationalities, specifies Wassim Nasr, who adds that Human Rights Watch was also able to communicate with an American child and a British child.

"These minors were captured in 2019. They did not make this choice and are in a situation of judicial limbo because they are in detention, but are not on trial either. They cannot be with their mother in the refugee camps even if they are Western, and their countries do not want them: they are therefore parked in these prisons ad vitam aeternam".

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"Children who grow up in a vacuum"

What policy for these children of jihadists?

In France, processing is done on a case-by-case basis.

However, when it comes to teenagers or pre-teens, there is no repatriation, explains Wassim Nasr.

"Currently, it is estimated between 220 and 230 French minors in Syria, 75% of whom are under the age of six. These are children who grow up in isolation in these camps, without any prospects in terms of education or health". 

A major problem as prisons are frequently attacked by jihadist groups.

According to Wassim Nasr, the prison of Hassaké had already been the subject of an attack attempt by the jihadists of the Islamic State group on November 21 last.

An attempt that had been foiled by the American forces.

"It is therefore a chaotic situation which was not unpredictable and which could repeat itself", affirms the journalist of France 24, adding that by reaching their goal in Hassaké, the jihadists managed to free some leaders who are today today in nature.

A worrying situation for all detained minors who today find themselves in the crossfire.

Worrying for their lives, but also for what they could become if they were to be released by the jihadists.

"As long as they have no other prospects, we can expect anything," explains Wassim Nasr.

"A child who was arrested by the Kurds with his parents at 12, and who today, at 15, is still in prison, without prospects, if those who release him are jihadists, obviously he will to rejoin."

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