Sweden abstains from repatriating ISIS citizens present in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom declared on Wednesday that his country would not help to repatriate Swedish citizens who had joined the Islamic State group (ISIS) and are currently held in camps in Northeast Syria.
In a statement to AFP, Billstrom emphasized the absence of a legal obligation to facilitate the return of these individuals, including women, children, and men.
“Sweden has no legal obligation to act for these individuals to be brought to Sweden. This applies to women, children and men,” he stated.
Billstrom pointed out that Sweden had previously offered opportunities for the remaining Swedes to return but they had consistently refused.
The minister cited a deteriorating security situation and expressed concerns that returning adults could pose a security threat.
While there are reportedly five children with connections to Sweden remaining in the Syrian camps, Billstrom emphasized that their parents, who willingly joined ISIS, bear the responsibility for them.
ISIS lost its final stronghold in Syria in March 2019. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with the support of the US-led Global Coalition, defeated ISIS after fierce battles in the town of Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
After the defeat of ISIS, 57,300 ISIS-linked individuals, including nearly 10,000 foreigners, were transferred to Roj and Hawl camps in northeast Syria.
Tens of thousands of women and children from ISIS families, representing about 60 countries, are still in these two camps.