The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF and its partners say they have secured the release of nearly 3,000 child soldiers in South Sudan.

The agency says it released the first group of 280 children yesterday at Gumuruk village in Jonglei State.

It says the freed children were recruited by the South Sudan Democratic Army, Cobra Faction led by David Yau Yau.

In a statement, UNICEF says the children range in age from 11 to 17 years old.

“These children have been forced to do and see things no child should ever experience,” said UNICEF South Sudan Representative Jonathan Veitch.

“The release of thousands of children requires a massive response to provide the support and protection these children need to begin rebuilding their lives.”

The child soldiers surrendered their weapons and uniforms in a ceremony overseen by the South Sudan National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, and the Cobra Faction and supported by UNICEF.