Children of the Arab Revolutions

Young boy standing guard for opposition forces in Benghazi

Libyan girl playing on burnt tank of Gaddafi forces

"Arab children, 
Corn ears of the future,
You will break our chains,
Kill the opium in our heads,
Kill the illusions.

Arab children,
Don't read about our suffocated generation,
We are a hopeless case.
We are as worthless as a water-melon rind.
Dont read about us,
Dont ape us,
Dont accept us,
Dont accept our ideas,
We are a nation of crooks and jugglers.

Arab children,
Spring rain,
Corn ears of the future,
You are the generation
That will overcome defeat. "


- Nizam Qabbani


Arab children have played a significant role in the Arab Spring, some joined in protests, led chants and even may have sparked a revolution. This may have been the case in Syria, where 15 children (all under the age of 17) in Dara'a who were inspired by the revolutions all around them decided to write the most famous famous words of the revolution on a wall: "The people want the fall of the regime". The children were subsequently arrested which outraged their community, this outrage is what led to the protests which began with demanding the children's freedom.


I found some great images (from Foreign Policy) about children in the revolution. Enjoy :)

Libyan boy being told he's too young to join rebel forces in Benghazi

Yemeni girls sits while women protesters break for prayer

Yemeni boy protesting, his chest says "leave, you liar"

Yemeni Girl, her hands say "leave, you butcher."