A recent report examining IS in Syria and Iraq shows the group’s proportionally large number of young members, where children fight alongside adults. A recent UN Security Council report on IS raised concerns about the recruitment of children and the reported emergence of youth training camps. To what extent the trend is present in Libya is unclear.
But Sagezli is concerned that if the plight of young people is not addressed, groups like IS can take advantage of the situation. “Some of them are as young as 15-18 years old,” he said. “The majority of these groups are victims of neglect and exclusion.” Sagezli would like to see the implementation of a decentralized national program for dialogue run by local communities.
According to Ageli, IS can offer young people exactly what the Arab countries can’t: empowerment. That is why disarmament is difficult at this stage. Carrying weapons, he argued, “makes them an empowered member of society.” According to Ageli, taking the weapons away without any alternative means of empowerment is a recipe for disaster.
Disarmament remains a key obstacle. Many of Meer’s friends back in Libya still have not given up their weapons. “They feel they need to continue to protect the revolution,” he said. “Many will ask, 'Sure, I will disarm but then what?'” Disarmament can only come through agreements and dialogue, he said. Libya needs a holistic plan.