Belgium to repatriate citizens from camps in Syria’s northeast
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo said that his country has intended to repatriate its citizens of Islamic State (ISIS) children and some women from camps run by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Belgium’s decision to repatriate its citizens from Syria followed a court ruling issued in 2019 to repatriate ten children born to Belgian ISIS fighters in Syria, according to Reuters.
Children of Belgian descent are distributed in the camps of Hawl and Roj. “The condition in Hawl Camp is seriously deteriorating,” De Croo told the Belgian Parliament.
Hawl Camp, that houses more than 60,000 IDPs and refugees, including about 10,000 ISIS wives and children, is witnessing an increase in violent acts since early 2021, reporting more than 30 killings of Iraqi refugees.
The Prime Minister of Belgium stressed the necessity to make every effort possible in order to take those children out of the camps, fearing the risk that they will be radicalized.
Some European countries have repatriated minors from the camps for the same reason.
Meanwhile, some governments are still hesitant to repatriate their citizens despite the dangerous security condition in Hawl Camp, which is described as the most dangerous in the world.