BABYLON, Iraq — As Iraqi children witness the war plaguing their country, they are affected by the transformation of civilian life into a military camp full of war such as weapons, fighters and banners of armed factions.

The militarization of society is not new for Iraqis. Saddam Hussein imposed military control on Iraqi communities in 1998. This time around, the aggressor is the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, which has occupied large areas in northern and western Iraq since June 2014.

It is for this exceptionally important purpose that military mobilization is spread in the country, and thousands of Iraqis are voluntarily joining the ranks of the army and the armed factions, including — at least in symbolic membership — students and boys in primary and middle school. This mobilization has impacted students’ creative activities, which include drawing, singing and delivering speeches. Common games now involve fake pistols and rifles and military uniforms in classrooms.

Children are facing several forms of military mobilization. In a YouTube video published May 19, an Iraqi child cries bitterly as he says that IS wants to demolish the Shiite holy shrines and that he must join the fighting. The child’s father does not advise him against joining the fight, but encourages him and promises to buy him a military uniform and a weapon to fight the enemy, IS.