Highlighting the Agenda of the Security Council on the situation of Children in Armed Conflicts.

The Agenda of the Security Council on:

 Afghanistan 

The United Nations verified 1,647 grave violations against 559 children (434 boys, 125 girls) and 244 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

The recruitment and use of 11 boys by the Taliban in combat (4) and support roles (7) was verified.

The killing (180) and maiming (363) of 543 children (422 boys, 121 girls) was attributed to unidentified perpetrators (454), cross-border shelling and air strikes by Pakistan armed forces (50), the Taliban (22), Islamic State in Iraq and the LevantKhorasan (ISIL-KP) (10) and the National Resistance Front (NRF) (7). Casualties resulted mainly from explosive ordnance (491). 

Sexual violence against 6 children (2 boys, 4 girls) was attributed to the Taliban (5) and unidentified perpetrators (1).

Attacks on 135 schools (48) and hospitals (87), including attacks on protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals (20), were attributed to the Taliban (128), unidentified perpetrators (6) and NRF (1). 18. The military use of 31 schools by the Taliban was verified, and 14 of these schools were subsequently vacated. 

The Taliban abducted 2 children (1 boy, 1 girl).

Some 950 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access by the Taliban (941) and unidentified perpetrators (9) were verified and involved interference in humanitarian activities (828). Developments and concerns 

 I note the engagement between the Taliban and the United Nations for the release of children, which resulted in the reintegration of 58 children. I urge the Taliban to engage with the United Nations to adopt measures to end and prevent grave violations against children, including the recruitment and use of children. I call upon the Taliban to define a child as every human being below the age of 18 years, develop age assessment guidelines and establish child protection units at recruitment centres.

 I call upon the Taliban to increase explosive ordnance clearance and risk education efforts. 

 I encourage the international community to support child reintegration programmes, explosive ordnance risk education, clearance and victim assistance. 

I call upon the Taliban and all parties to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access. I urge the Taliban to revoke their decision to severely restrict Afghan women from working for international and national non-governmental organizations and the United Nations, which limits the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 25. I urge the Taliban to lift the suspension of girls’ education. 

Central African Republic

The United Nations verified 733 violations against 479 children (283 boys, 196 girls) and 608 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

A total of 331 children (238 boys, 93 girls) were recruited and used by armed groups (296): Coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC) (191) (Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC) (123), anti-balaka (60); Retour, réclamation et réhabilitation (3R) (6), Mouvement patriotique pour la Centrafrique (MPC) (1), an unidentified CPC group (1)); Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (70); Parti pour le rassemblement de la nation centrafricaine (PRNC) (29); the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)-Kony (5); Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (1); and unidentified perpetrators (2); and by government and pro-government forces in support roles (33) (joint operations of Wagner Ti Azande and Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (21), the national defence forces (7), other security personnel (5)). A total of 51 children served in combat roles with armed groups. 

Four boys were detained for alleged association with armed groups and subsequently released. 

The killing (27) and maiming (76) of 103 children (65 boys, 38 girls) was attributed to: government and pro-government forces (43) (national defence forces (30), national defence forces/internal security forces (3), Wagner Ti Azande/Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (4), other security personnel (3), the national defence and security forces (2), internal security forces (1)); Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (25); unidentified perpetrators (17); CPC (17) (3R (12), UPC (5)); and Coalition des patriotes pour le changement Fondamentale (CPC-F)/UPC (CPC-F/UPC) (1). Casualties resulted mainly from explosive ordnance (35). 

Sexual violence against 114 girls was attributed to: CPC (58) (UPC (26), 3R (22), anti-balaka (9), unidentified CPC (1)); government and pro-government forces (35) (national defence forces (21), Wagner Ti Azande/Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (9), internal security forces (3), Wagner Ti Azande (2)); PRNC (11); unidentified perpetrators (4); Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (4); and Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (2). Four elements of the national defence forces were arrested. Most girls were raped during association with armed groups (101). 

Attacks on 13 hospitals (9) and schools (4) were attributed to government and pro-government forces (7) (other security personnel (4), Wagner Ti Azande/Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (2), national defence forces (1)); CPC (4) (UPC (3), 3R (1)); and unidentified perpetrators (2). Schools and hospitals (12) were used by government and pro-government forces (11) (national defence forces (4), national defence forces/other security personnel (3), other security personnel (3), Wagner Ti Azande (1)); and an unidentified CPC group (1). At the time of writing, the national defence forces continued to use one of the schools. 

The abduction of 141 children (93 boys, 48 girls) was attributed to CPC (101) (UPC (55), anti-balaka (30), 3R (13), unidentified CPC (2), MPC (1)); government and pro-government forces (24) (Wagner Ti Azande/Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (17), national defence forces (3), Wagner Ti Azande (1), internal security forces (1), other security personnel (1) and other security personnel/demobilized anti-balaka elements used as proxies by other security personnel (1)); Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (14); SudaneseRapid Support Forces (1) and PRNC (1). Most children were abducted for the purposes of recruitment and use and/or sexual violence (135). 

Some 31 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to unidentified perpetrators (14); CPC (12) (UPC (6), 3R (4), FPRC (1) and unidentified CPC (1)); CPC-F (4) (anti-balaka (2), UPC (1),4 FPRC (1)) and national defence forces (1). 

Developments and concerns 

I welcome the signing between the Government and the United Nations of a protocol for the handover of children associated with armed forces and armed groups to civilian actors.

I commend the establishment by the Government of vocational centres for conflict-affected children and encourage donors to fund reintegration and vocational programmes. I encourage the Government to continue gender-sensitive reintegration of children. 

I commend the Government for establishing a commission of inquiry on violations of international law, including grave violations against children, committed in Haut-Mbomou Prefecture, and call upon the Government to pursue accountability. 

I note the issuance by Azande Ani Kpi Gbe and Wagner Ti Azande of a command directive prohibiting elements from committing grave violations. I remain concerned by violations committed by Azande Ani Kpi Gbe and Wagner Ti Azande. Wagner Ti Azande members are reportedly recruited into or deployed alongside the government forces.

 I am deeply concerned by the increasing number of cases of killing and maiming, sexual violence and abduction attributed to government and pro-government forces. I urge government and pro-government forces to end and prevent grave violations against children, to cease the military use of schools, to appoint child protection focal points in deployed units of the national defence and security forces and to issue command directives on child protection to all government and pro-government forces, including other security personnel. 

I urge FPRC, UPC and MPC to implement their respective action plans and to release children from their ranks. I urge all armed groups to cease all grave violations. I call upon the armed forces and armed groups to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded access of humanitarian actors. 

I call upon the Government, with United Nations support, to make child-friendly programmes, safe reporting and response mechanisms accessible to survivors. 

I commend ongoing efforts towards accountability for crimes of sexual violence and call upon the Government to prioritize the establishment of a national action plan to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence committed by national defence and security forces and to implement the revised national plan of action to fight conflict-related sexual violence. 

 I call upon the Government to ensure the screening of persons recruited into national defence and security forces in parallel to the national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme. 

Colombia 

The United Nations verified 646 grave violations against 513 children (317 boys, 189 girls, 7 sex unknown), including Indigenous children (195), children of African descent (47) and Venezuelan children (13), and 15 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 450 children (279 boys, 166 girls, 5 sex unknown) were recruited and used by Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) dissident groups (326) (including Estado Mayor Central (EMC) (156), Comandos de la Frontera (15), Segunda Marquetalia (14)), Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) (56), Clan del Golfo (also known as Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia) (39), unidentified perpetrators (30) and the Colombian armed forces (2). Some 87 children were used in combat roles. 45. Some 78 children (58 boys, 20 girls) were killed (27) and maimed (51) by unidentified perpetrators (41), including 7 in crossfire, and by FARC-EP dissident groups (27) (including EMC (11), Comandos de la Frontera (1), Segunda Marquetalia (1)), Clan del Golfo (6), ELN (2) and the Colombian armed forces (2). Casualties resulted mainly from explosive ordnance (30). 46. Sexual violence against 33 girls perpetrated by ELN (12), FARC-EP dissident groups (12), Clan del Golfo (7) and unidentified perpetrators (2) was verified. 

Attacks on 42 schools (27) and hospitals (15) were attributed to unidentified perpetrators (22), FARC-EP dissident groups (17) (including EMC (7), Comandos de la Frontera (2)), Clan del Golfo (1), ELN (1) and the Colombian armed forces (1). Some 35 schools were militarily used by FARC-EP dissident groups (14) (including EMC (6), Comandos de la Frontera (1)), unidentified perpetrators (9), Clan del Golfo (5), ELN (4) and the Colombian armed forces (3). All schools were vacated. 

Some 16 children (8 boys, 6 girls, 2 sex unknown) were abducted by ELN (6), FARC-EP dissident groups (5) (including Segunda Marquetalia (3), EMC (1)) and unidentified perpetrators (5). 

Some 24 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to unidentified perpetrators (11), ELN (7), FARC-EP dissident groups (4) and Clan del Golfo (2). 

Developments and concerns 

I welcome the indictment by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace of former FARC-EP commanders for war crimes, including the recruitment and use of children and the perpetration of sexual violence and violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity against children. I call upon the Government to guarantee access to justice for victims of grave violations. 

I encourage the Government to adopt the intersectoral commission’s strategy for preventing the recruitment and use of, and sexual violence against, children, to implement it with an intersectional approach and to allocate adequate resources for its implementation at the local level. I call upon the Government to strengthen reintegration services and protection strategies for the families of victims and for persons involved in the protection of children. 

I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the Safe Schools Declaration. I reiterate my call upon the armed forces to stop the organization of civilian-military activities involving children. I call upon the Government to scale up the clearing of explosive ordnance and risk education thereon, as well as victim assistance. 

I am concerned by the increase in the recruitment and use and the killing and maiming of children, cases of sexual violence against children and attacks on schools and hospitals. I am alarmed at the disproportionate impact on Indigenous children and children of African descent. I urge all armed groups to unconditionally release all children and cease the use of mines. I urge armed groups to adopt action plans with

the United Nations and to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access. 54. I call upon negotiating parties in peace talks to consider child protection measures in their negotiations and agreed outcomes, including in ceasefire protocols, and to recognize the age of 18 as the minimum age of recruitment and use. 

Democratic Republic of the Congo 

The United Nations verified 4,043 grave violations against 3,418 children (2,217 boys, 1,201 girls) and 453 violations that occurred in previous years were verified. 

Some 2,365 children (1,651 boys, 714 girls) were recruited and used by Raia Mutomboki (405), Chini ya Tuna (310), Mouvement national congolais (MNC) (299), Mai-Mai Kashumba (197), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) (163), Nyatura (138), Mai-Mai Mazembe (119), Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) (94), Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO) (73), MaiMai Byamungu Etoka (58), Forces populaires pour la libération (FPL) (45), Mai-Mai Zaïre (44), Mai-Mai Namushosi (44), Mai-Mai Kakobanya (40), Alliance des forces de résistance congolaise (AFRC) (34) and 35 other armed groups (302), including Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové (NDC-Rénové) (24), Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) (22), Twigwaneho (15), Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda-Forces combattantes abacunguzi (FDLR-FOCA) (7), and Force de résistance patriotique de l’Ituri (FRPI) (5). Some 797 children were used in combat roles. 

Some 131 children (96 boys, 35 girls) were detained for alleged association with armed groups by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (128), the Congolese National Police (2) and the National Intelligence Agency (1). All children were released following United Nations advocacy. 

The killing (190) and maiming (248) of 438 children (317 boys, 121 girls) were attributed to M23 (244), CODECO (47), ADF (38), Nyatura (17), APCLS (12), unidentified perpetrators (10), Raia Mutomboki (8), Mai-Mai Zaïre (7), Mouvement congolais de développement pour la nation (MCDPIN) (7), FDLR-FOCA (5), 15 other armed groups (29), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12) and the Congolese National Police (2). Casualties resulted mainly from the direct impact of military operations (250). 

Sexual violence was perpetrated against 358 girls by M23 (68), CODECO (63), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (47), Raia Mutomboki (33), Nyatura (24), Résistance pour un État de droit au Burundi (RED Tabara) (14), ADF (12), Mai-Mai Mazembe (12), APCLS (11), MNC (8) and 20 other armed groups (66). Fifteen perpetrators, from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12), armed groups (2) and the Congolese National Police (1), were prosecuted. 

Attacks on 54 schools (28) and hospitals (26), including against protected persons (6) were attributed to M23 (18), CODECO (13), ADF (7), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5), Raia Mutomboki (5), APCLS (1), the Burundi National Defence Force (1), Mai-Mai Issa-Ntoka (1), Mai-Mai Kasilence (1), Mai-Mai Mupekenya (1) and unidentified perpetrators (1). 

Some 30 schools were used for military purposes by unidentified perpetrators (14), M23 (6), the Burundi National Defence Force (3), CODECO (2), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2), Nyatura (2) and ADF (1). 

Some 815 children (532 boys, 283 girls) were abducted by ADF (265), M23 (178), CODECO (61), Raia Mutomboki (50), Chini ya Tuna (43), Nyatura (40), MaiMai Mazembe (29), APCLS (25), unidentified perpetrators (15), AFRC (11), Force patriotique et intégrationniste du Congo (FPIC) (11), Wazalendo (10), MCDPIN (10), Mai-Mai Zaïre (9) and 19 other armed groups (58). Children were abducted for the purpose of recruitment and use (461). 

Some 13 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were verified, including the killing of one humanitarian worker by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6), CODECO (3), the Congolese National Poli

Developments and concerns 

 I welcome the commitment of the Government to implementing the 2012 action plan. I urge the Government to prioritize the prevention of sexual violence, including within the armed and security forces. I welcome the prosecution of perpetrators of grave violations, including for sexual violence, and encourage the continuation of accountability efforts. I am concerned about the increase in the number of children detained for alleged association with parties to the conflict and I call upon the Government to treat children in line with international juvenile justice standards. 

I commend the cooperation between the Government and the United Nations on screening, age assessment and separation of children from the Armed Forces and National Police during recruitment processes. I welcome the training on child protection of regional forces deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

I welcome the signature of unilateral declarations to end and prevent grave violations against children by five armed group commanders, which resulted in the release of 350 children, following United Nations advocacy. I welcome the voluntary release of over 1,200 children by other armed groups.

I urge all parties to cease attacks on schools and hospitals and vacate all schools. I commend the Government for strengthening the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. 

I encourage the Government to continue to implement the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization programme at the provincial level, while prioritizing children and survivors of sexual violence. I also reiterate my call upon donors to support this programme. 

I remain deeply alarmed by the devastatingly high and increasing number of grave violations against children, including sexual violence against girls. I call upon armed groups to unconditionally release all children and cease all violations. 

I urge all parties to the conflict and stakeholders at the regional level to work towards a political resolution of the conflict, prioritizing child protection. 

Haiti 

The United Nations verified 2,269 grave violations against 1,373 children (699 girls, 618 boys, 56 unknown) and 24 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

A total of 302 children (256 boys, 46 girls) were recruited and used by the Viv Ansanm coalition (64), Wharf Jérémie (39), Baz Gran Grif de Savien (31), Ti Bois (24), Bout Ba (20), Grand Ravine (20), 103-Zombies (19), unidentified armed gangs (18), Boston (16), Vitelhomme (Kraze Barye) (9), Delmas 6 (8), Team Ascenseur (6), Village de Dieu “5 Segond” (5), Kokorat San Ras (4), Simon Pelé 6 (4), Canaan (4), so-called Taliban (4), unidentified self-defence group (3), 400 Mawozo (2) and Ti Gabriel (2). Most children were used in combat roles (158). 

The Haitian National Police detained 26 boys for their alleged association with armed gangs, in a penitentiary where minors are held alongside adults under harsh conditions. 

The killing (213) and maiming (138) of 351 children (235 boys, 68 girls, 48 sex unknown) was attributed to unidentified perpetrators (70), Viv Ansanm (54), the Haitian National Police (27), Wharf Jérémie (21), Baz Gran Grif de Savien (18), Bel-Air (15), Delmas 95 (15), La Saline (12), Grand Ravine (11), Les Argentins de Haut Bel-Air (11), Village de Dieu “5 Segond” (9), Boston (9), Simon Pelé 6 (9), Chen Mechan (8), 103-Zombies (8), Solino self-defence group (7), Ti Bois (7) Vitelhomme (Kraze Barye) (6), Belekou (6), 400 Mawozo (5), Terre Noire (5) and 11 other armed gangs and self-defence groups (18). Casualties resulted mainly from attacks on communities (218). 

Sexual violence against 566 children (523 girls, 43 boys) was attributed to Viv Ansanm (411), unidentified perpetrators (53), Chen Mechan (18), Village de Dieu “5 Segond” (14), Ti Gabriel (10), Grand Ravine (8), 400 Mawozo (7), Team Ascenseur (6), Canaan (6), Les Argentins de Haut Bel-Air (5), Delmas 6 (5), Ti Bois (4), Base Pilate (4), 103-Zombies (4), Wharf Jérémie (2), Simon Pelé 6 (2), Boston (2), Belekou (2) and armed gangs (3). Cases involved rape (406) and gang rape (160). 

Attacks on 154 schools (98) and hospitals (56) were attributed to Viv Ansanm (47), unidentified armed gangs (46), 400 Mawozo (12), Kraze Barye (9), Baz Gran Grif de Savien (6), Ti Bois (5), Bel-Air (4), Village de Dieu “5 Segond” (4), Kokorat San Ras (4), Grand Ravine (3), Wharf Jérémie (3), G-Pèp (2) and some seven armed gangs (8), and the Haitian National Police (1). Incidents involved the looting or destruction of facilities (88) and the killing of, attacks on or abduction of protected persons (66).

 The military use of 27 schools (25) and hospitals (2) was attributed to Viv Ansanm (6), and 11 other armed gangs (including 400 Mawozo (2), Grand Ravine (2), Baz Gran Grif de Savien (1)) (21). 

The abduction of 154 children (84 boys, 62 girls, 8 sex unknown) was attributed to Baz Gran Grif de Savien (41), Viv Ansanm (30), Bout Ba (20), Boston (16), 400 Mawozo (8), Wharf Jérémie (6), Grand Ravine (5) and some 11 armed gangs (28). Most frequently, the purpose of abduction was for ransom (56). 

Some 728 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to Viv Ansanm (254), unidentified armed gangs (119), 400 Mawozo (72), Baz Gran Grif de Savien (67), Kokorat San Ras (54), Ti Bois (47), Vitelhomme (Kraze Barye) (30), Les Argentins de Haut Bel-Air (19), Chen Mechan (14), Wharf Jérémie (13) and some 14 armed gangs (39). Incidents included interference in humanitarian delivery through the use of roadblocks (394). Developments and concerns 

I welcome the creation by the transitional authorities of a taskforce to implement the handover protocol on the transfer and reintegration of children allegedly associated with armed gangs and the release of detained children to civilian actors. I encourage donors to support reintegration programmes for children. 

I welcome the collaboration with the United Nations for the capacity-building of the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support Mission on child protection. I call upon the transitional authorities to treat children associated with armed gangs in line with international juvenile justice standards. 

 I am deeply alarmed by the surge in grave violations, in particular the number of incidents of recruitment and use, sexual violence, abduction and the denial of

humanitarian access by armed gangs. I reiterate my call upon security forces and armed gangs to cease all violations against children and to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Iraq 

The United Nations verified 58 grave violations against 50 children (36 boys, 14 girls) and 6 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 7 children (1 boy, 6 girls) were recruited and used by the People’s Defence Forces of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (HPG/PKK) (6) and Da’esh (1) in combat roles. One girl remains associated with HPG/PKK and the boy was killed in clashes between Da’esh and the Iraqi security forces. 

 As at 31 December 2024, 531 children (524 boys, 7 girls) remained in detention on national security-related charges, including for their actual or alleged association with armed groups, primarily Da’esh. 

Some 42 children (33 boys, 9 girls), were killed (26) and maimed (16) by unidentified perpetrators (36), Turkish military air strikes against HPG/PKK targets (2), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2), the international counter-Da’esh coalition (1) and by crossfire between the Iraqi security forces and Da’esh (1). Casualties resulted from explosive ordnance (36).

One attack on a health facility carried out by HPG/PKK was verified. 

The abduction of eight children (2 boys, 6 girls) by Da’esh (2 boys) and HPG/PKK (6 girls), including for the purpose of recruitment and use (6), was verified. Seven children were released. 

 Developments and concerns.

I encourage the Government to institutionalize the national child protection framework within security forces and strengthen multisectoral coordination and reintegration support. 

I am concerned at the continued recruitment and use of children by HPG/PKK and Da’esh and urge all parties to cease the recruitment and use of children and release all children. 

 I call upon the Government to continue to provide explosive ordnance risk education and clearance, prioritize the clearing of areas of return and child-friendly spaces, and provide assistance to victims.

I note the release of 220 children who had been detained on national securityrelated charges, but I remain concerned by the continued detention of children on such charges, including for their actual or alleged association with Da’esh. I reiterate that children should be treated in line with international juvenile justice standards. I call upon the Government to release detained children to child protection actors and to ensure their access to services and protection. 

I commend the Government for the repatriation of 1,529 Iraqi children (783 boys, 746 girls) from the north-eastern Syrian Arab Republic. I reiterate my call upon all countries concerned to facilitate and expedite the voluntary repatriation of children with suspected family ties to Da’esh. 

Israel and the State of Palestine

The United Nations verified 8,554 grave violations against 2,959 children (1,925 boys, 1,034 girls; Israeli children (15), Palestinian children (2,944)) in Israel (10); and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (8,544) (West Bank, including East Jerusalem (3,688); and in the Gaza Strip (4,856)). In addition, 2,789 grave violations that occurred in 2023 in the Gaza Strip (2,788) and in Israel (1) were verified. In addition, the United Nations received reports of the killing of 4,470 children in the Gaza Strip in 2024, which are pending verification. 

Verified grave violations were attributed to Israeli armed and security forces (7,188), unidentified perpetrators (43), Israeli settlers (42), individual Palestinian perpetrators (11), Palestinian Authority Security Forces (7), Hizbullah (3) and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1). In addition, the process of attribution of responsibility relating to 1,259 verified violations is ongoing. 

The United Nations verified the killing of 3 Israeli boys in the West Bank in attacks by individual Palestinian perpetrators. In addition, the killing of two Israeli boys that occurred in 2023 in the Gaza Strip, who had been abducted by al-Mujahideen Brigades and Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was verified. 

A total of 12 Israeli children (10 boys, 2 girls) were maimed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (4), and in Israel (8) by individual Palestinian perpetrators (8); by Hizbullah (3); and by shrapnel (1), when the Israeli armed forces intercepted missiles launched by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Two attacks on schools in Israel were attributed to the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1) and to shrapnel (1) when the Israeli armed forces intercepted missiles launched by the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah).

The United Nations verified the use of 27 Palestinian boys by Israeli armed and security forces as human shields during operations in the West Bank (5) and in the Gaza Strip (22). There are reports of the use of human shields by Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations verified the detention of 951 Palestinian children (940 boys, 11 girls) for alleged security offences by Israeli armed and security forces in the West Bank (602), in East Jerusalem (259) and the Gaza Strip (90), including the detention by Israeli armed and security forces of a Palestinian girl whose whereabouts remain unknown. Israeli authorities reported that 112 Palestinian children were held under administrative detention, without charge or trial as at 31 December 2024, in addition to 25 children transferred to Israel from the Gaza Strip and detained under the “unlawful combatant” designation. 

The United Nations verified the killing of 97 Palestinian children (92 boys, 5 girls) in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, the United Nations verified the killing of 1,259 Palestinian children (662 boys, 597 girls) and the process of attribution is ongoing. Of the total (1,356), 754 were boys and 602 were girls. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the United Nations verified the killing of Palestinian children attributed to Israeli armed and security forces (90, including as a result of live ammunition (70) and air strikes (20)), Palestinian Authority Security Forces (2), Israeli settlers (1) and unidentified perpetrators (4) (as a result of unexploded ordnance (1), crossfire between Palestinian Authority Security Forces and armed Palestinians (2) and simultaneous fire by Israeli forces and Israeli settlers (1)). Further, the killing of 1,637 children (794 boys, 843 girls) between October and December 2023 was verified. Most incidents were caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas by Israeli armed and security forces. 

A total of 1,561 Palestinian children (1,131 boys, 430 girls) were verified as having been maimed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (620), and in the

Gaza Strip (941).

The United Nations verified maiming attributed to Israeli armed and security forces (1,507), Israeli settlers (35), unidentified perpetrators (15) (including as a result of unexploded ordnance (3), simultaneous gunfire by Israeli armed and security forces and Israeli settlers (4)) and Palestinian Authority Security Forces (4). In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, most children were maimed by live ammunition (313), teargas inhalation (168), rubber-coated metal bullets (20) and air strikes (10). In Gaza, most children were maimed by Israeli armed and security forces air strikes (787), tank shelling (84) and live ammunition (57). In addition, the United Nations verified that 1,147 Palestinian children (666 boys, 481 girls) were maimed between October and December 2023 in the Gaza Strip, by Israeli armed and security forces (1,123) and unidentified perpetrators (24). 

Attacks on 502 schools (148) and hospitals (354), including on protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals (110), and on ambulances (41), were attributed to Israeli armed and security forces (473); unidentified perpetrators (22); Israeli settlers (6); and Palestinian Authority Security Forces (1) in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (131), and in the Gaza Strip (371). The United Nations verified 13 military uses of schools (8) and health facilities (5), including ambulances (1), by Israeli armed and security forces (10), Palestinian Authority Security Forces (1), armed Palestinians (1) and Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (1). Schools in the Gaza Strip have remained closed since 7 October 2023. 

 The denial of humanitarian access by Israeli armed and security forces (5,091) was verified in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (2,828) and in the Gaza Strip (2,263). In the Gaza Strip, the United Nations verified 2,263 denials of humanitarian access by Israeli authorities related to the coordination of humanitarian aid missions being denied (1,262) or access being impeded (1,001) by Israeli authorities, out of 5,321 planned missions. In the context of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, humanitarian personnel were killed, including at least 280 United Nations personnel since 7 October 2023. On some occasions, Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian armed groups also shelled crossings and checkpoints and obstructed roads that are proximate to or co-located with Israeli military positions that were used to deliver humanitarian aid. In the West Bank, Israeli armed and security forces delayed or obstructed medical care to critically injured children (5). In addition, 2,823 permit applications (1,600 for boys, 1,223 for girls) to Israeli authorities for children from the West Bank to gain access to specialized medical treatment were denied or not approved in time to reach scheduled hospital appointments, while 5,327 applications were approved. 

Developments and concerns 

 I am appalled by the intensity of grave violations against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, notably by the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas. I am deeply concerned by the significant rise in grave violations in the Gaza Strip, and I am deeply alarmed by the escalating violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

I am deeply alarmed by the continued increase in grave violations against children perpetrated by Israeli armed and security forces, notably the high number of children killed and maimed, attacks on schools and hospitals, including ambulances and protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access. I reiterate my calls upon Israel to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including its obligations to respect the special protections afforded to children, to protect schools and hospitals and to comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attacks, and to refrain from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, including in air strikes. I urge Israel to pursue accountability for grave violations against children. 

 I am alarmed by the attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinian children, including in proximity to, and with the support of, Israeli security forces. I reiterate my grave concern regarding the continued excessive use of force during law enforcement operations, including increasingly militarized operations, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and reiterate that security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use intentional lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable as a measure of last resort. I am alarmed by the continued increase in the number of children detained by Israel and by reports of physical violence directed against them during detention. I call upon Israel to uphold international juvenile justice standards, and to end the administrative and other arbitrary detention of children. 

I urge Israel to develop and sign an action plan with the United Nations to end and prevent the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools and hospitals, on the basis of the letters addressed by my Special Representative to Israel in 2023 and 2024, including clear, time-bound commitments to end and prevent grave violations against children, as proposed by the United Nations. 

I call upon Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian armed groups to release unconditionally all hostages, alive or dead, in a dignified manner and to facilitate access for humanitarian actors. I am shocked by reports that children held hostage were subjected to violence. I call upon Palestinian armed groups to protect schools and hospitals, including protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals, and refrain from using them for military purposes. 

I call upon all Palestinian armed groups to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to respect the special protections afforded to children, to cease attacks that target civilians, including children, and to cease indiscriminate attacks from densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip towards Israeli civilian population centres. I further call upon Palestinian armed groups to facilitate access for humanitarian actors. I call upon Hamas and Hizbullah, as well as the Houthis, to cease their indiscriminate attacks on Israeli population centres. I call upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law and to cease attacks that affect civilians, including children.

 I urge Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and affiliated factions, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades to develop and sign action plans with the United Nations to end and prevent the killing and maiming and abduction of children, on the basis of the letters previously addressed by my Special Representative to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 2024, including clear, time-bound commitments to end and prevent grave violations against children, as proposed by the United Nations.  I condemn attacks against humanitarian operations, premises and workers, including the killing of humanitarian personnel. I call upon Israel to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it, and to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and personnel into and within the Gaza Strip.

Lebanon 

The United Nations verified 669 grave violations against 628 children (315 boys, 175 girls, 138 sex unknown). 

The United Nations verified the recruitment and use of 76 boys by unidentified armed groups (18), Jund Ansar Allah (13), Fatah (10), Palestinian Islamic Jihad (9), Al-Shabab al-Muslim (8), Nusrah Front (7), Hizbullah (6) and Jund al-Sham (5). 

Six boys were detained by national authorities for alleged association with armed groups. Four boys were released. 

The United Nations verified the killing (234) and maiming (327) of 561 children (248 boys, 175 girls, 138 sex unknown) by the Israeli armed forces (541) and unidentified perpetrators (20), mostly through the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

Attacks on 32 schools (1) and hospitals (31) were attributed to the Israeli armed forces, killing or injuring health personnel. 118. The military use and closure of four United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools by Fatah and Jund al-Sham was ongoing at the time of writing

Developments and concerns 

 I am alarmed by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the increase in the number of children killed and maimed and the devastating impact on healthcare. I urge Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law and to cease attacks that affect civilians, including children, and attacks on hospitals and other medical facilities. I call upon Hizbullah and all other parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law. I call upon all parties to refrain from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

 I reiterate my call upon the Government to release children detained for alleged association with armed groups to civilian child protection actors and to treat them in line with international juvenile justice standards, and to provide access to reintegration programmes. I recommend that the Government develop a handover protocol for the transfer of these children to civilian child protection actors. 

I call upon the armed groups to cease the recruitment and use of children, and to release all children. I reiterate my call to Fatah and Jund al-Sham to vacate schools in Palestine refugee camps. 

I am concerned by the contamination caused by unexploded ordnance. I call upon the donor community to fund explosive ordnance risk education, clearance and victim assistance and to fund child protection programmes.

Furthermore, owing to the high number of children recruited and used and killed and maimed and the high number of attacks on schools and hospitals by parties to the conflict in Lebanon, I urge parties to the conflict to immediately implement measures to protect children. I will be particularly attentive to this situation in the preparation of my next report. 

Libya 

The United Nations verified 58 grave violations against 22 children (18 boys, 4 girls). 

A total of 154 children were detained under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Police. Some 65 children of multiple nationalities were arrested by the Judicial Police and detained with their mothers, including 34 children who continue to be detained in Judaydah prison for their mothers’ alleged association with Da’esh. The number does not include all children detained in official or unofficial detention facilities.

The killing (4) and maiming (18) of 22 children (18 boys, 4 girls) was attributed to explosive remnants of war (15) and crossfire (7). 

Some 36 incidents of denial of humanitarian access were attributed to the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (10), the administrative department of the Government of National Unity (7), the Ministry of State for Illegal Migration in the House of Representatives-designated government (3), the Intelligence Service (2), the Intelligence Apparatus and an administrative entity in the East (2), the Libyan Coast Guard, the Ministry of Interior and an unidentified administrative entity of the Government of National Unity (2), the western branch of the Internal Security Agency (1), the Libyan Coast Guard and an administrative department of the Government of National Unity (1), the Libyan National Army (LNA) (1), the military police in eastern Libya (1), an unknown administrative entity in the East (1), the Libyan Coast Guard, Ministry of Interior and an unidentified administrative entity of the Government of National Unity (1), Ministry of Interior (1), Tareq Bin Ziyad Brigade affiliated with LNA (1), the Command of the South Operation under LNA (1), and an unknown authority in the East (1). 

 Developments and concerns

 I welcome the commitment made by the Government of National Unity to my Special Representative to adopt measures to end and prevent grave violations against children in cooperation with the United Nations. 

 I urge the Libyan authorities and responsible actors to end child detention, including for children detained for their mothers’ alleged association with Da’esh, pursue alternatives to detention, provide children with safe family-based care and facilitate access by the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies to detention centres. I call upon all countries concerned to facilitate the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of children allegedly associated with Da’esh. 

Mali 

The United Nations verified 892 grave violations against 778 children (612 boys, 161 girls, 5 sex unknown) and 87 violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 285 children (264 boys, 21 girls) were recruited and used by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) (74) (unidentified JNIM (39), Ansar Eddine (32), Katiba Serma (3)); unidentified perpetrators (66); Platform (57) (Mouvement pour le salut de l’Azawad des Daoussak (MSA-D) (21), Ganda Koy (20), Ganda Izo (5), Mouvement pour le salut de l’Azawad of the Chamanamas (MSA-C) (4), Ganda Lassal Izo (2), unidentified MSA groups (2), Coordination des mouvements et forces patriotiques de résistance I (CFPRM-1) (2), Groupe d’autodéfense des Touaregs Imghad et leurs alliés (GATIA) (1)); Coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA) (38) (Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad (MNLA) (26), Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad (MAA) (12)); Dan Nan Ambassagou (28); Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) (10); in support roles by the Malian armed forces (7); dozo traditional hunters (3) and Fulani armed elements (2). 

The Malian Defence and Security Forces detained 12 boys for alleged association with armed groups and handed them over to child protection structures; 11 of them were detained for extended periods, in total disregard for the 2013 handover protocol. 133. The killing (159) and maiming (228) of 387 children (267 boys, 116 girls, 4 sex unknown) was attributed to unidentified perpetrators (212); JNIM (82) (Front de libération du Macina (FLM) (54), unidentified JNIM (18), Katiba Serma (10)), the Malian armed forces (45), foreign security personnel (26), ISGS (20) and Ganda Koy (2). 

The rape of 32 girls by unidentified perpetrators (22), ISGS (4), JNIM (3) (unidentified JNIM (2), Ansar Eddine (1)), the Malian armed forces (2) and Ganda Lassal Izo (1) was verified. 

Attacks on 22 schools (10) and hospitals (12) were attributed to unidentified perpetrators (10), JNIM (5) (Ansar Eddine (2), Katiba Serma (2), FLM (1)), foreign security personnel (3), the Malian armed forces (2), ISGS (1) and Ganda Koy (1). 

Some 119 children (99 boys, 19 girls, 1 sex unknown) were abducted by unidentified perpetrators (80), JNIM (31) (FLM (15), Ansar Eddine (10), unidentified JNIM (5), Katiba Serma (1)), foreign security personnel (4), ISGS (3) and the Malian armed forces (1). 137. Some 47 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to unidentified perpetrators (30), JNIM (10) (unidentified JNIM (8), Ansar Eddine (2)), foreign security personnel (3), ISGS (3) and the Malian armed forces (1). 

 Developments and concerns 

I welcome the establishment of a National Directorate of Justice for Children and the transitional authorities’ efforts, in cooperation with the United Nations, to implement the Safe Schools Declaration. I reiterate my call upon the transitional authorities to finalize the bill on the protection of education from attacks. I welcome the engagement between the transitional authorities and the United Nations to adopt a prevention plan to protect children. 

 I urge the transitional authorities to notify the United Nations of children associated with government forces and ensure their release. I once again urge the transitional authorities to finalize the revision of the Child Protection Law and Code, which should criminalize the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18. 140. I urge the transitional authorities to fully implement the 2013 handover protocol. 141. I remain concerned by the continued recruitment and use of children by Platform and CMA. I urge them to implement their respective action plans and release all children from their ranks. 142. The significant increase in killing and maiming is alarming. I urge all parties to protect children and to release associated children, and allow and facilitate safe, timely, and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Myanmar 

The United Nations verified 2,138 grave violations against 1,762 children (1,248 boys, 499 girls, 15 sex unknown) and 121 violations that occurred in previous years. The United Nations received reports of some 1,200 grave violations, which are pending verification. 

 The United Nations verified the recruitment and use of 482 children (467 boys, 15 girls) by the Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias (400) (jointly by Myanmar armed forces and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) (150), jointly by the Myanmar armed forces and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) (150), the Myanmar armed forces (94), affiliated militia (3), the border guard forces (2), Pyu Saw Htee (1)); the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) (34); the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (15), including jointly by KIA and the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (1); the Arakan Army (AA) (12); the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) (5); the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) (4); the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) (4); the Chin National Front (CNF) (4); the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) (2); the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) (1); and Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) (1). Children were used in combat roles by the Myanmar armed forces (378) and armed groups (82). Some 16 children were released following advocacy by communities and the United Nations. 

 The detention of 47 children (45 boys, 2 girls) was attributed to the Myanmar armed forces for alleged association with armed groups. 

The killing (262) and maiming (999) of 1,261 children (767 boys, 480 girls, 14 sex unknown) was attributed to the Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias (840) (Myanmar armed forces (815), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and Pyu Saw Htee (13), border guard forces (4), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and border guard forces (3), border guard police (3), Pyu Saw Htee (2)); AA (20); the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (17); MNDAA (6); ARSA (1); Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) (1); Pa-O National Organization/Pa-O National Army (PNO/PNA) (1); KIA (1); and unidentified perpetrators (374). Most casualties were caused by explosive ordnance (1,089).

The rape of 2 girls was attributed to the Myanmar armed forces (1) and KIA (1). 

Attacks on 133 schools (100) and hospitals (33), were attributed to the Myanmar armed forces, including affiliated militias (103) (Myanmar armed forces (102), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and Pyu Saw Htee (1)); the People’s Defence Forces/ local defence groups (15); AA (4); KNLA (1); and unidentified perpetrators (10). Most attacks resulted from air strikes (80). 

 The military use of schools (59) and hospitals (6) was attributed to the Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias (53) (Myanmar armed forces (49), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and Pyu Saw Htee (2), militia group (1), Myanmar Police Force (1)); MNDAA (3); the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (4), including jointly by CNF and the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (2); SSPP/SSA (1); joint force of TNLA and MNDAA (1); TNLA (1); AA (1); and PNO/PNA (1). Five schools and one hospital were vacated. 

 The abduction of 85 children (72 boys, 12 girls, 1 sex unknown) by the Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias (41) (Myanmar armed forces (39), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and Pyu Saw Htee (2)); KIA (33); MNDAA (4); the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (2); ALP (1); PNO/PNA (1); and unidentified perpetrators (3) was verified. Most children were abducted for the purposes of recruitment and use (57). 

151. The United Nations verified 175 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access by the Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias (147) (Myanmar armed forces (141), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and ARSA (1), joint force of Myanmar armed forces and PNO/PNA (1), affiliated militias (2), Myanmar Police Force (1), Pyu Saw Htee (1)); the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups (7); PNO/PNA (5); MNDAA (4); KIA (3); SSPP/SSA (2); AA (2); the United Wa State Army (1); and unidentified perpetrators (4). Humanitarian access has worsened due to administrative restrictions, violence against humanitarian actors, movement restrictions and communication shutdowns.  

Developments and concerns 

I am deeply alarmed by the continued high numbers of grave violations against children, especially the scale of the killing and maiming of children. I am gravely concerned by the pattern of indiscriminate and targeted attacks by the Myanmar armed forces, including the increasing use of explosive ordnance in populated areas. 

I urge the Myanmar armed forces and other parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to end and prevent grave violations against children and to take accountability measures for violations against children. 

I am concerned by the number of grave violations perpetrated by armed groups, the People’s Defence Forces and local defence groups. I urge them to engage with the United Nations to adopt measures to protect children. 

I reiterate my call upon the Myanmar armed forces and all other parties to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access. 

I reiterate my call upon the Myanmar armed forces to engage with the United Nations for the full implementation of the 2012 joint action plan on the recruitment and use of children. In the context thereof, I welcome the release of 93 persons identified jointly with the United Nations as minors at the time of recruitment. I call upon the Myanmar armed forces to adopt a joint action plan with the United Nations to end and prevent killing and maiming, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abductions. 

 I urge the Myanmar armed forces to release children, implement the 2019 Child Rights Law and act in line with international juvenile justice standards. I call upon the Myanmar armed forces to ensure that no child is recruited under the 2010 People’s Military Service Law. 

I welcome efforts by KNLA, including its political wing, the Karen National Union (KNU), to develop an action plan with the United Nations. I welcome the engagement of the National Unity Government and I call upon the National Unity Government to adopt concrete measures for the protection of children.

Somalia

The United Nations verified 2,568 grave violations against 1,992 children (1,447 boys, 545 girls) and 50 violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 768 children (726 boys, 42 girls) were recruited and used by Al‑Shabaab (643), clan militias (61), regional forces (24) (Puntland police (7), Puntland forces (6), Hirshabelle police (4), Jubbaland forces (2), Galmudug police (2), Jubbaland Intelligence and Security Agency (1), Puntland Security Commando Force (1), Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (1)), “community defence forces” (23), clan militia engaged in Sool Region (9) and government security forces (8) (Somali National Army (6), National Intelligence and Security Agency (2)). 

Some 291 children (275 boys, 16 girls) were detained for their alleged association with armed groups by the Somali Police Force (104), the Somali National Army (81), the National Intelligence and Security Agency (46), the Somali Police Force jointly with the National Intelligence and Security Agency (28), regional forces (17) (Hirshabelle police (14), South-West Police (2), South-West forces (1)), the Somali Police Force jointly with the Somali National Army, the National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Somali Military Police (7), the Somali Military Police (4), the National Intelligence and Security Agency jointly with the Somali Military Police (3) and the Ethiopian Liyu Police (1). A total of 144 children were released. 

The killing (141) and maiming (454) of 595 children (425 boys, 170 girls) by unidentified perpetrators (296), Al-Shabaab (119), government security forces (70) (Somali National Army (34), Somali security forces (23), Somali Police Force (9), National Intelligence and Security Agency (4)), clan militias (69), regional forces (27) (Puntland police (16), South-West Police (2), Jubbaland forces (2), Puntland forces (2), Puntland Maritime Police Force (2), South-West forces (1), Hirshabelle police

(1), Galmudug Presidential Guard Unit (1)), Da’esh (7), “community defence forces” (6) and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (1) was verified and mostly caused by explosive ordnance (282).

Sexual violence was perpetrated against 267 children (265 girls, 2 boys) by Al-Shabaab (120), unidentified perpetrators (110), government security forces (14) (Somali National Army (11), Somali Military Police (2), Somali Police Force (1)), the Ethiopian Liyu Police (7), clan militias (6), regional forces (7) (Jubbaland forces (4), Puntland police (3)), “community defence forces” (1), Da’esh (1) and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (1). 

Some 39 attacks on schools (36) and hospitals (3) were attributed to Al-Shabaab (28), clan militias (9), South-West forces (1) and the Somali National Army (1). The military use of three schools by the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (1) and government security forces (2) (National Intelligence and Security Agency (1), Somali National Army (1)) was verified. 

The abduction of 887 children (731 boys, 156 girls) by Al-Shabaab (850), unidentified perpetrators (17), clan militias (10), the Somali National Army (5), “community defence forces” (2), Jubbaland forces (1), the Ethiopian Liyu Police (1) and Da’esh (1) was verified. Children were abducted for recruitment and use (442). 

Some 12 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to clan militias (4), Al-Shabaab (3), unidentified perpetrators (3), the National Intelligence and Security Agency (1) and Jubbaland forces (1). 

Developments and concerns 

I urge the Federal Government to continue its efforts to implement the 2012 action plans and the 2019 road map, including at the federal member state level.

I commend the Federal Government for establishing an investigative committee to pursue accountability for grave violations attributed to security forces, and for integrating child protection into military trainings. 

I welcome the fact that the amendments to the Provisional Constitution of Somalia define the age of a child as below 18 years. I encourage the ratification of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child by Somalia. I encourage the Federal Parliament to adopt the child rights and juvenile justice bills. I underline the importance of ensuring that all legislation pertaining to children is consistent with the human rights commitments of Somalia. 

I remain concerned by the high number of children detained for alleged association with armed groups, and their prosecution through military courts. I am appalled by the execution of four young people in Puntland in August 2024 for alleged offences committed while associated with Al-Shabaab as children. I urgently call upon the Federal Government and federal member states to treat children associated with armed forces and armed groups in line with international juvenile justice standards.

 I commend the collaboration between the Federal Military Court and the United Nations in transferring 16 children for reintegration, in line with the 2014 standard operating procedures for the handover of children allegedly associated with armed groups and I call for its continued application through joint screening exercises with the United Nations. 

 I am deeply alarmed by the increase in the number of grave violations against children, particularly the increase in recruitment and use, sexual violence and abductions by Al-Shabaab, the fivefold increase in the number of gang rapes and the devastating impact of explosive ordnance. I call upon all parties to cease grave violations against children and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. 

I urge the Federal Government to enact legislation prohibiting sexual violence in line with the human rights commitments of Somalia and to increase the availability of holistic services, reparations and redress to survivors. 

I urge donors to provide sustainable support for monitoring and reporting capacities and for child protection programmes. 

South Sudan 

 The United Nations verified 126 grave violations against 109 children (81 boys, 22 girls, 6 sex unknown) and 7 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 68 children (59 boys, 9 girls) were recruited and used by unidentified perpetrators (32), the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (18), forces loyal to Brigadier General James Nando (8), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) (4), the South Sudan National Police Service (2), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) (2), the South Sudan Prison Service (1) and the National Salvation Front (NAS) (1). Some 63 children were released. 

The detention of 16 boys by the South Sudan National Police Service for their actual or alleged association with armed groups was verified. 

Some 23 children (14 boys, 3 girls, 6 sex unknown) were killed (8) and maimed (15) by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (14), the Sudanese Armed Forces (2) and unidentified perpetrators (7). 

Sexual violence against 7 girls was verified by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (5), the Necessary Unified Forces (1) and SPLM/A-IO (1). 

Three attacks on schools (1) and hospitals (2) attributed to NAS were verified. The military use of five schools and one hospital by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (3), and the Necessary Unified Forces (3) was verified. Eight schools (7) and hospitals (1) were vacated by the Necessary Unified Forces (4), the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (3) and the South Sudan National Police Service (1). 181. Some 25 children (18 boys, 7 girls) were abducted by unidentified perpetrators (11), NAS (9) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (5). Eight children were released. 

Developments and concerns

 I commend the release of children by parties to the conflict following United Nations advocacy. However, I remain concerned by grave violations committed by all parties to the conflict. I urge the Government to strengthen preventive measures in hotspot areas to protect children. 

I urge the Government to remain committed to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, including its provisions relating to children, and the Tumaini Initiative. 184. I welcome the hosting by the Government of a national conference on the protection of children against recruitment and use in September 2024. I urge the Government to continue to implement the 2020 action plan and to budget accordingly. 

I am deeply concerned by the rise in the number of unidentified armed groups responsible for grave violations against children. I urge the Government to finalize transitional security arrangements, including the deployment of well-trained Necessary Unified Forces.

Sudan

The United Nations verified 2,041 grave violations against 1,882 children (1,081 boys, 564 girls, 237 sex unknown) and 127 violations that occurred in previous years. 

Some 25 boys were verified as recruited and used by the Rapid Support Forces (16) and the Sudan Liberation Army/Transitional Council (9). 

Some 14 children (11 boys, 3 girls) were detained by the Rapid Support Forces (10) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (4) (including Sudanese Armed Forces Military Intelligence (3)), for alleged association with opposing parties. 

The killing (752) and maiming (987) of 1,739 children (1,008 boys, 490 girls, 240 sex unknown) was attributed to unidentified perpetrators (813), including in crossfire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (513), the Rapid Support Forces (510), the Sudanese Armed Forces (409) and Arab militia affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (7). Casualties resulted mainly from shelling (1,032). 

Sexual violence was perpetrated against 74 children (1 boy, 73 girls) by the Rapid Support Forces (54), Arab militia affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (9), unidentified perpetrators (7), the Sudanese Armed Forces (2), the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (1) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North Malik Agar faction (1). 

 Attacks on 108 schools (26) and hospitals (82) were attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (71), the Sudanese Armed Forces (31) and unidentified perpetrators (6). The military use of five schools (3) and hospitals (2) by the Rapid Support Forces (3) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (2) was verified. 

The abduction of 57 children (47 boys, 10 girls) by the Rapid Support Forces (56) and the Sudanese Armed Forces-aligned Joint Force of Armed Struggle Movements (1) was verified. 193. Some 38 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (18), the Sudanese Armed Forces (12), Sudanese Armed Forces Military Intelligence (4), unidentified perpetrators (2), Arab militia affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (1) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM/N) (1)

Developments and concerns 

 I am deeply alarmed by the increase in the number of grave violations, especially killing and maiming, sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals. I urge all parties to adopt measures to end and prevent grave violations against children, including to refrain from the use of explosive ordnance. I call upon all parties to release all children from their ranks. 

I am gravely concerned about escalating intercommunal violence, including ethnically motivated attacks and the mass displacement of children. 

 I appeal to all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including to cease attacks on humanitarian personnel, schools and hospitals, and civilian infrastructure, and to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access, including across borders. 

I welcome the commitment of the Sudanese Armed Forces to engage on an action plan with the United Nations, and I call for its swift adoption. I call upon the Government to reactivate the working group on child protection in armed conflict. I urge the Rapid Support Forces and Third Front-Tamazuj to engage with the United Nations to develop action plans to end and prevent grave violations, including by appointing a high-level focal point. 

Syrian Arab Republic

The United Nations verified 1,301 grave violations against 1,205 children (863 boys, 238 girls, 104 sex unknown) and 64 violations that occurred in previous years. The terminology used for all parties to the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic pertains to the period from 1 January to 8 December 2024. 

Some 527 children (489 boys, 38 girls) were verified as recruited and used by the opposition Syrian National Army (opposition SNA) (151) (unidentified factions (82), Faylaq al-Sham (20), Ahrar al-Sham (15), al-Nassr Army (11), Jabhah al-Shamiyah (6), Sultan Murad Division (5), Suqur al-Sham (3), Hamzah Division (3), Samarqand Brigade (2), Jabhah al-Sharqiyah (1), Faylaq al-Amshat (1), Jaysh al-Izzah (1) and Islamic Front (1)), Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (148), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) (143) (Kurdish People’s Protection Units and Women’s Protection Units (YPG/YPJ) (143)), Syrian government forces and pro-government forces (42) (National Defence Forces (30), Syrian government forces (5), pro-government militias (7)), Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (40), and Ansar al-Tawhid (3). Most children (292) were used in combat roles. 

The detention of two boys by the Syrian government forces for their alleged association with armed groups was verified. At the end of 2024, approximately 1,000 children, including foreign children, reportedly remained deprived of liberty for alleged association with armed groups, mainly Da’esh, and approximately 25,500 children with suspected family ties to Da’esh continued to be held in Hawl and Rawj camps. 201. The killing (271) and maiming (401) of 672 children (374 boys, 194 girls, 104 sex unknown) by Syrian government forces and pro-government forces (352) (pro-government forces (225), pro-government air forces (79), pro-government militias (39), Syrian government forces (9)), unidentified perpetrators (224), SDF (55) (YPG/YPJ (53), other SDF components (2)), the Turkish Armed Forces (16), opposition SNA (12) (unidentified factions (11), Jaysh al-Izzah (1)), Israeli armed forces (11), Da’esh (1) and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (1) was verified. Most casualties resulted from explosive ordnance (636). Children were verified as having been killed (12) and reported as having been maimed (30) by rocket fire in the occupied Syrian Golan. 

Some 70 attacks on schools (51) and hospitals (19) were attributed to the Syrian government forces and pro‑government forces (55) (pro-government forces (36), pro-government air forces (12), Syrian government forces (7)), unidentified perpetrators (6), unidentified factions of opposition SNA (4), YPG/YPJ (3), the Turkish Armed Forces (1) and Da’esh (1). The military use of 13 schools (11) and hospitals (2) by SDF (13) (YPG/YPJ (11) and Internal Security Forces (2)) was verified. 

The abduction of 14 children (5 boys, 9 girls) by the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (9), Syrian government forces (4) and YPG/YPJ (1) was verified, often for the purpose of recruitment and use. Five children were released. 

Incidents of the denial of humanitarian access (18) by unidentified perpetrators (8), Syrian government forces and pro-government forces (7) (government forces (6), pro-government air force (1)), Israeli armed forces (2) and YPG/YPJ (1) were verified. 

Developments and concerns

I reiterate the need for a Syrian-led and owned, inclusive and credible political process, in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and for provisions regarding children’s rights to be reflected therein. 

I remain extremely concerned by the high number of grave violations against children. I urge all parties to end and prevent grave violations against children and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. 

I urge the interim authorities to ensure compliance by the Syrian Arab Republic with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and to release associated children, and facilitate the implementation of reintegration programmes for children, in coordination with the United Nations.

I reiterate my call upon the interim authorities and armed groups, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, to engage with the United Nations to adopt an action plan to end and prevent grave violations against children.

I commend the opposition SNA, and its aligned legions and factions, for progress in the implementation of the 2024 action plan. I call for the prioritization of the screening of factions and the release of children, in cooperation with the United Nations.

I commend SDF for progress in the implementation of the 2019 action plan and 2023 road map. I urge SDF to release all remaining children from its ranks. I remain concerned by the killing and maiming of children and urge the adoption of measures to cease such violations. I urge the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement to cease the recruitment and use of children, release and hand over all children, and engage with the United Nations on measures to protect children. 

I remain alarmed by the high number of children deprived of liberty for their actual or alleged association with parties to conflict, including Da’esh. Children should be treated in line with international juvenile justice standards. I remain seriously concerned by the appalling humanitarian situation and violence affecting women and children in Hawl and Rawj camps and other places of detention in the north-east. I urge all parties and relevant authorities to provide the United Nations and humanitarian actors with systematic and meaningful access to children deprived of liberty, including in Hawl and Rawj camps, military and civilian prisons, administrative detention and in reintegration centres, and to facilitate access to essential services and family reunification for these children. 

 I once again urge all concerned countries of origin and relevant authorities inside the Syrian Arab Republic to facilitate the safe and voluntary repatriation of women and children from Hawl and Rawj camps and in places of detention in the north-east, including those with suspected family ties to Da’esh, in line with international law and in respect for the principles of non-refoulement, family unity and the best interests of the child, and in line with the Global Framework on United Nations Support to Member States on Individuals Returned from the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq and, upon request, with United Nations support. 

I call for explosive ordnance clearance, risk education and victim assistance programmes. I urge donors to support such efforts. 

Ukraine 

The United Nations verified 1,914 grave violations against 673 children (379 boys, 294 girls) and 46 violations that occurred in previous years. 

Two boys were used by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups to conduct arson attacks on railway infrastructure and Ukrainian military vehicles. 

The United Nations verified the detention of eight children (7 boys, 1 girl) by Ukrainian authorities (7) and Russian authorities located in territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation (1). 

The United Nations verified the killing (94) and maiming (577) of 671 children (377 boys, 294 girls) attributed to Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups (474: 68 killed, 406 maimed); unidentified perpetrators (171: 22 killed, 149 maimed), including 137 caused by shrapnel when the Ukrainian armed forces intercepted missiles or loitering munitions launched by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups or due to direct impact; and Ukrainian armed forces (26: 4 killed, 22 maimed). Casualties resulted from the use of explosive weapons (640). The Ukrainian armed forces carried out operations within the territory of the Russian Federation, gaining control of areas in the Kursk region. The United Nations documented 120 children killed and maimed in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Some 862 attacks on schools (559) and hospitals (303) were attributed to Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups (696), unidentified perpetrators (110) and Ukrainian armed forces (56). 

Some 379 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access were attributed to Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups (293), Ukrainian armed forces (60) and unidentified perpetrators (26), including attacks on energy infrastructure (326)

Developments and concerns 

I am deeply concerned at the sharp increase in grave violations against children in Ukraine, particularly the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals. 

 I welcome the extension of the joint prevention plan with the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations to prevent grave violations against children and the commitment to its continued implementation, including the issuance of a pocket card on preventing grave violations to the Ukrainian armed forces. 

I am deeply alarmed by the increase in grave violations attributed to the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups, particularly the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals, mainly resulting from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. I urge the Russian Federation to end grave violations and engage with my Special Representative to develop and implement a joint action plan with the United Nations. 

I am concerned about the impact on children of operations carried out by the Ukrainian armed forces within the territory of the Russian Federation. I call upon all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of children in the planning and execution of military operations. 

I am concerned about the increased incidents of the denial of humanitarian access by the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups. I call upon the Russian Federation to grant the United Nations access to deliver humanitarian assistance and to conduct monitoring of grave violations in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. 

I am concerned by the reports of administrative procedures imposed on humanitarian workers by the Ukrainian authorities, causing delays in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 

I welcome the reunification of two children abducted in 2022 by Russian armed forces and Russian authorities located in territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. The whereabouts of the remaining children referred to in last year’s report (A/78/842, para. 327) remain unknown, although credible reports suggest that some of these children may have returned to territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine.

I urge all parties to uphold the principle of the best interests of the child, facilitate family tracing and reunification of unaccompanied and/or separated children who find themselves across borders or lines of control without their families and/or guardians, including by giving child protection actors access to facilitate reunification. I strongly urge the Russian Federation to cooperate with the United Nations for the return of Ukrainian children and reunification of such children with their families and/or guardians. 

 Yemen 

The United Nations verified 583 grave violations against 504 children (435 boys, 69 girls) and 204 grave violations that occurred in previous years. 

The recruitment and use of 182 boys was attributed to the Houthis (who call themselves Ansar Allah) (hereinafter “the Houthis”) (85), the Yemen Armed Forces (23) and affiliated armed forces and groups (74) (5th Brigade (16), Security Belt Forces (10), National Shield Forces (9), Southern Resistance Forces (8), Shabwahi Defence Forces (8), Amaliqah Brigades (6), Border Guard Brigade (5), Thunderbolt Forces (4), Storm Forces (2), 4th Hazm Brigade (2), 3rd Maghawir Brigade (2), Tareq Saleh’s National Resistance Forces (commonly referred to as the Guardians of the Republic) (1),Yemeni police (1)). Children served in combat roles (59).

Three boys were detained by the Yemen Armed Forces (3) and subsequently released.

The killing (62) and maiming (256) of 318 children (254 boys, 64 girls) was attributed to unidentified perpetrators (218), the Houthis (40), the Yemen Armed Forces (32) and affiliated armed forces and groups (27) (Security Belt Forces (9), Amaliqah Brigades (6), Southern Transitional Council (3), 4th Hazm Brigade (3), Shabwahi Defence Forces (3), Commandos Brigade (2), 5th Support and Reinforcement Brigade (1)) and Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (1), including as a result of the use of explosive ordnance (173).

Sexual violence against 11 children (6 boys, 5 girls) was attributed to the Houthis (2) and to the Yemen Armed Forces (2) and affiliated armed forces and groups (7) (Yemeni police (4), Security Belt Forces (2), Amaliqah Brigades (1)). 

Some 15 attacks on schools (4) and hospitals (11), including on protected persons (11), were attributed to the Yemen Armed Forces (8), the Houthis (4), unidentified perpetrators (2) and Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (1). The military use of 54 schools (46) and hospitals (8) was attributed to the Houthis (30) and to the Yemen Armed Forces (8) and affiliated armed forces and groups (16) (Shabwahi Defence Forces (7), Amaliqah Brigades (3), Security Belt Forces (2), 2nd Hazm Brigade (1), Martyr Ashway Brigade (1), 3rd Support and Reinforcement Brigade (1), Southern Resistance Forces (1)). 

 The abduction of two boys was attributed to armed forces and groups affiliated with the Yemen Armed Forces (2) (Security Belt Forces (1), Thunderbolt Forces (1)).

Some 55 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access, attributed to unidentified perpetrators (52) and the Houthis (3), were verified, including threats or attacks against humanitarian personnel and facilities (52). By the end of the reporting period, dozens of personnel from the United Nations and from international and national non-governmental organizations remained arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, some of whom had been detained for several years. 

 Developments and concerns 

I welcome the continued engagement of the Government on the 2014 action plan and the 2018 road map through the development of a workplan with the United Nations. I welcome the adoption of a handover protocol for the transfer of children allegedly associated with armed groups to civilian child protection actors. I encourage the Government to finalize a complaints mechanism for grave violations. I call for the commitment of groups affiliated with the Presidential Leadership Council to the action plan and road map. I call upon the Government to implement the Safe Schools Declaration. 

I welcome the continued engagement by the Houthis with the United Nations under the 2022 action plan, including the adoption of a complaints mechanism for grave violations, the endorsement of procedures for interim care for children released from armed groups and the facilitation of United Nations visits to military recruitment centres, in line with the 2022 action plan. I call upon the Houthis to expedite the implementation of outstanding activities, including by implementing age assessment procedures and the 2020 handover protocol. 

I call upon all parties to provide unconditional access for the United Nations to children in detention and to release all children and facilitate the socioeconomic reintegration of children, with the support of the United Nations. I urge parties to engage in preparations for the resumption of an inclusive political process under United Nations auspices, including child protection provisions.

I remain deeply concerned by the killing and maiming of children by explosive ordnance. I urge all parties to coordinate with the United Nations to fund and implement explosive ordnance risk education, clearance and victim assistance.

United Nations Secretary-General.