The US has put Turkey on the list of countries involved in the use of child soldiers in the past year. This was the first time a NATO member was classified in this way on Thursday. The already strained relations between Washington and Ankara should be further strained by this step. Countries on this list are subject to restrictions on certain security assistance and licenses for military equipment, according to the US State Department - unless the American President explicitly waives them. It was not initially clear whether Turkey would automatically experience such restrictions.

The use of child soldiers in Syria and Libya is affected.

Turkey is involved in the conflicts in both countries.

As a respected regional power and NATO member, Turkey has the opportunity to deal with the recruitment and use of child soldiers in Syria and Libya, the State Department said in Washington.

It noted in its report on human trafficking in 2021 that Turkey has provided substantial support to the Sultan Murad division in Syria.

This unit belongs to the opposition to the Syrian leadership and, according to the ministry, has recruited and deployed child soldiers for a long time.

Turkey has carried out three military operations across the border with Syria against the “Islamic State” and against the US-backed Kurdish militias in the north of the neighboring country.

The Turkish military also had Syrian militias fight at its side.

Some of these groups have been accused by human rights groups and the United Nations (UN) of indiscriminately attacking civilians, abducting and pillaging people.

The UN had asked Turkey to stop such attacks.

The government in Ankara has described the allegations as baseless.

The State Department in Washington also pointed out the use of child soldiers in Libya and expressed the hope that a solution would be found together with Turkey.

Turkey is involved in the conflict in the North African country.

It has assisted the Tripoli-based government in repelling the attack by units from eastern Libya, assisted by Egypt and Russia.