AP Exclusive: Child soldiers recount horrors of Sudan’s war and presence of Colombian mercenaries

Child soldiers recount being strapped to anti-aircraft guns and ordered to shoot down warplanes in Khartoum.

Colombian mercenaries provided military aid to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), training children as young as 15.

Six former child soldiers, abducted and forced to fight with the RSF, spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Human rights groups and Sudan's military accuse the UAE of arming the RSF; the UAE denies providing arms or mercenary support.

One 17-year-old said he was rounded up by RSF fighters in Omdurman and forced to fight for 18 months, bearing scars from shrapnel.