Video shows militants in Syria training child soldiers

New video footage has surfaced online showing the foreign-sponsored militants in Syria recruiting dozens of children and teenagers. The video, which was posted on the internet recently, shows the commander of a US-backed group in the northern province of Aleppo saying when the children arrive, they are children, but when they leave, they become killing machines. Teenagers are shown being taught how to use assault rifles and other weapons against the Syrian government forces. They are also taught how to disarm enemies by stabbing them or killing them with their bare hands. This is despite the fact that international law prohibits the use of children under 18 in combat and military support operations. Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil. The Syrian government also says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals. In addition, several international human rights organizations have accused the militants in Syria of committing war crimes.