US-Backed SDF: Child Torture and Forgotten Prisons
📰 THE STORY: The New Arab reports that Syrian forces have freed 126 children from Al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa, a facility formerly controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with ongoing investigations into alleged torture and child abuse. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Since 2011, the Sykes-Picot Agreement's artificial borders have been further destabilized by
external interventions. The US's involvement in Syria, ostensibly to fight ISIS, has simultaneously supported various proxy forces, including the SDF, which controls significant territory and resources. The presence of these detention centers for children, some with alleged links to ISIS fighters, highlights the long-term, devastating consequences of a decade-plus of external interference and
imposed chaos, creating generations of trauma. Double Standard: Imagine the outrage if a prison under the control of the Syrian government or any Western-designated adversary was found to be torturing 126 children. The media would be awash with prime-time specials, urgent UN calls, and demands for immediate intervention. Yet, when such atrocities are linked to a US-backed proxy like the SDF, the
coverage is muted, often buried, and quickly forgotten. This selective humanitarianism showcases a consistent pattern of excusing abuses by allies while demonizing perceived enemies. Follow the Money: The SDF, while often portrayed as a progressive, democratic force, has received substantial financial and military aid from the United States. This aid, funnelled to a group now implicated in child