CENTCOM appreciates Canada, Norway for returning ISIS nationals
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US Central Command (CENTCOM) welcomed on Thursday the recent efforts made by Canada and Norway to repatriate their ISIS-linked nationals from northeast Syria’s camps.
On March 28, Norway repatriated five people; two sisters and three children from Roj camp in Derik (al-Malikiyah) countryside in the far northeast Syria.
On April 6, Canada repatriated 14 people; four women and 10 children from northeast Syria.
Norway and Canada repatriated 19 residents from Hawl and Roj camps in northeast Syria, the CENTCOM said in a statement.
“The return is part of ongoing international effort to rehabilitate, repatriate, and reintegrate the more than 50,000 individuals from more than 60 countries who remain in these camps in northeast Syria,” the statement read.
Both Roj and Hawl camps, that are run by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), are the most dangerous camps globally that house around 57,300 ISIS-linked individuals, including nearly 10,000 foreigners.
On Thursday, the US Department of State welcomed Canada’s repatriation of 14 women and children from camps in northeast Syria.
“Repatriation is the only durable solution for this population, most of whom are vulnerable children under the age of 12,” the US Department of State said.
“CENTCOM appreciates international leaders working to resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in these camps [Roj and Hawl],” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.
“These camps represent not only a flashpoint of human suffering but also an enduring security risk as the more than 30,000 children housed in them are in danger of ISIS indoctrination on a daily basis,” Kurilla added.
The CENTCOM commander stressed that repatriation is the only long-term solution to the crisis.