AFGHANISTAN:

There are 8,000 actual and former child soldiers. Boys reportedly joined or were forcibly recruited into factional armed groups and militias. There are reports that girls were forced into early marriages with armed group commanders. Under-18s arrested in Afghanistan were held at the U.S. military detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: acceded September 2003

IRAN:

Government forces and the Basij paramilitary group recruit 15-year-olds. The Mujahedeen Khalq Organization (MKO) and Kurdish rebel groups have been reported to have children in their ranks.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: not signed