A total of 145 child soliders were released by the Cobra Faction and the SPLA in Opposition in Pibor, according to UNICEF.

There are more than 16,000 children who have been recruited by armed forces since South Sudan’s civil war began, and 800 this year alone according to the U.N.

U.N. officials say that both the government and opposition have continued to recruit child soldiers even though both have made promises to stop.

“With the ongoing fighting across the country, UNICEF continues to receive reports about the recruitment of children in Unity, Jonglei and other states. We urge all parties to abide by international law, to end recruitment and to release children who are currently serving in their ranks,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.