The Islamic State is indoctrinating children with extreme religious beliefs and exposure to violence from birth, in the hope of creating the next generation of superior fighters.
That's the conclusion of the anti-extremism think tank, the Quilliam Foundation in their report, "Children of the Islamic State" which has been launched in the British parliament and endorsed by the United Nations. It was compiled through the study of propaganda and trusted sources from within the self-styled caliphate.
From London, Catherine Drew reports.
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This Islamic State propanda video shows children playing in a sunny playground. the boys have toy guys and pretend to shoot at each other. These happy scenes stand alongside other images coming out of Islamic state controlled areas... of young boys in training for jihad.
Researchers at the anti extremism think tank the Quilliam foundation studied Islamic state propaganda for six months up until february of this year. They found an increasing use of children in the group's propaganda videos and images… 254 in that 6 month period. Nikita Malik is the lead researcher on the report.
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The Quilliam Foundation says it cannot be sure of how many children are living under the islamic state, some in populations taken over by the group, others who may have been abducted or joined the group out of fear, taking a more active role in training and education. The report estimates that around 31 thousand women in the so called caliphate are pregnant, which includes those such as yazidi sex slaves who are being held against their will.
Quilliam's Lead researcher Nikita Malik again.
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Quilliam says the Islamic State has learnt lessons from the recruitment of child soldiers by Liberian war lord Charles Taylor as well as styling the Nazi regime.
It has shocked Dr Julian Lewis, conservative MP and chairman of the influential parliamentary defense select committee, who facilitated the launch.
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The report is calling for the creation of a europe wide commission to help protect children from radicalization and to try to deradicalise any that are either able to escape or find a way to return to their home countries.
However Dr Lewis says the ability to help the children living under the Islamic State can only be accomplished through military gains on the ground.
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British intelligence suggests 50 british children have been taken to Islamic State controlled areas by their parents. So far only one, a toddler, has returned. His mother, 26 year old Tareena Shakil was recently jailed for six years for taking her son to live under the Islamic State in Syria and allowing the 14 month old to be photographed with an AK 47 and Islamic state branded clothing.
Catherine Drew, sign off, London