By Marie von Hafften, July 30, 2014 on the Global Envision Blog

Gaza. Iraq. Syria. Ukraine. Conflict fills the news, and across the world it’s often young people who are taking up arms.

An Iraqi fighter told Reuters that he was 15 years old when he went to Iran for military training. Now 16, he’s been on the frontlines in Syria and Iraq.

He’s not alone. Most people who participate in violence are youth, according to Rebecca Wolfe, director of conflict management and peacebuilding programs at Mercy Corps.

“Particularly from

[ages] 12 to 24, young people are starting to figure out themselves and their lives, and in that transition period they are very susceptible to influence,” Wolfe said.

Read the full story here.