Canada refuses to repatriate female ISIS member from NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Canada’s government is refusing to repatriate a Quebec mother of six currently being held in northeast Syria, her lawyer says.
Canadian authorities gave the woman the option of sending her child to Canada or retaining him at a camp in northeast Syria. Her lawyer says the government denied her repatriation because she “adheres to extreme ideological beliefs” and could pose a security risk. He says the Canadian government is violating its policy.
In March, four Canadian women and their 10 children were flown to Canada following an agreement with the country’s authorities. According to state broadcaster CBC, three of the women were arrested upon arrival in Canada and later released.
Canada has so far repatriated 21 of its nationals from northeast Syrian camps and prisons. Several Canadian remain in the region, including former male ISIS members. In January, Ottawa had pledged to repatriate 23 Canadians.
Roj and Hawl camps, run by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), house around 57,300 ISIS-linked individuals, including nearly 10,000 foreigners.
Tens of thousands of women and children of ISIS families from about 60 countries are still in the two camps of Hawl and Roj within the AANES-held areas in northeast Syria.