Syrian Kurds Hand ISIS Relatives to Dutch Authorities

Special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch in the vicinity of Al-Hol camp, in Syria's northeast, March 30, 2021. (AFP)
Special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch in the vicinity of Al-Hol camp, in Syria's northeast, March 30, 2021. (AFP)
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Syrian Kurds Hand ISIS Relatives to Dutch Authorities

Special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch in the vicinity of Al-Hol camp, in Syria's northeast, March 30, 2021. (AFP)
Special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch in the vicinity of Al-Hol camp, in Syria's northeast, March 30, 2021. (AFP)

Syria's Kurds on Saturday handed four relatives of ISIS group fighters, including three children, to Dutch diplomats for repatriation, a thorny issue for authorities in the Netherlands.

The group consisted of a Dutch woman and her two children as well as another 12-year-old girl, "a humanitarian case," whose mother had agreed to her repatriation following a request from the Dutch government, top Syrian Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar said.

The four were handed over to a delegation led by the Netherlands' Syria envoy Emiel de Bont and senior foreign ministry official Dirk Jan Nieuwenhuis.

De Bont said the delegation had "a clear and well-defined mandate to receive in the care of a mission, a small number of Dutch nationals up to now residing in the Roj detention facility", following a Dutch court ruling on the individuals' cases.

"We are here then to serve the rule of law and to do what we can to assist the due legal process," he added.

Since the fall of ISIS's self-styled "caliphate" in March 2019, Syria's Kurds and the United Nations have repeatedly urged foreign countries to repatriate their nationals held in northeast Syria.

At least 220 such children with Dutch nationality remain in Syria or Turkey, 75 percent of whom are under the age of four and were born in the region to parents with Dutch citizenship.

At a press conference in the regional capital Qamishli, Kurdish official Omar reiterated calls for other countries to "meet their responsibilities by repatriating their citizens and cooperating with us on this situation", a major burden for authorities in the de facto autonomous region.

About 75 boys and girls are living with their mothers in Kurdish-run camps in Syria, while a few are also in the extremist-run northwestern area of Idlib, according to Dutch authorities.

There are some 30 Dutch women and 15 men in Kurdish-run camps.

'About our safety'
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and their US-led coalition allies declared the defeat of ISIS in March 2019 after ousting radicals from their last Syrian stronghold in the eastern village of Baghouz.

Tens of thousands of people suspected of being wives and children of ISIS fighters have ended up in the Al-Hol camp.

Kurdish authorities warn the camp, hit by dozens of murders since early 2021, has emerged as an extremist powder keg.

The UN said in February it had documented cases of "radicalization, fundraising, training and incitement of external operations" at Al-Hol.

Anna Sophia Posthumus, spokeswoman for the Netherlands' justice and security ministry, said the country did not have a "general policy" of repatriating people from war-torn regions.

There has previously only been one exception to this policy, she said -- a 2019 case involving two minors.

The question of repatriating Dutch nationals in areas formerly held by ISIS is a thorny issue in the Netherlands.

"We would prefer a tribunal in the region" be set up to try suspects, Posthumus said. She noted that "discussions" had already taken place, but "it's still at a very... initial phase".

Prime Minister Mark Rutte's liberal VVD party has emphasized the security threat posed by such returns, while the center-left D66 party, a likely potential partner as he seeks to build a coalition, supports bringing back children on humanitarian grounds.

VVD politician Ingrid Michon tweeted that "We do everything that's possible to keep Netherlands safe. Then we should not pick up these ISIS-goers from Syria. This is about our safety. Stop this."

Far right-wing politician Geert Wilders said it was "unacceptable and unbearable" to repatriate women linked to ISIS fighters.

"Those terror women have forfeited their right to ever set foot on Dutch soil," he tweeted.



Khamenei Urges Iraq’s PM to Strengthen Popular Mobilization Forces

Sudani and Pezeshkian hold a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian presidency)
Sudani and Pezeshkian hold a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian presidency)
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Khamenei Urges Iraq’s PM to Strengthen Popular Mobilization Forces

Sudani and Pezeshkian hold a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian presidency)
Sudani and Pezeshkian hold a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian presidency)

Iran and Iraq have acknowledged Syria as a shared concern and called for preserving its territorial integrity and working together to establish security and stability in the country.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to “preserve and strengthen the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF),” describing the presence of US forces in Iraq as “illegal and contrary to the interests of the Iraqi people and government.”

During his meeting with Sudani, Khamenei said: “The indicators suggest that the Americans are seeking to solidify and expand their presence in Iraq, and this occupation must be firmly opposed.”

He further emphasized the importance of “unity and harmony among Iraq’s diverse sectarian and ethnic groups.”

Khamenei’s remarks came as he held discussions with Sudani on regional developments, including the situation in Syria and the removal of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

According to Khamenei’s official website, Sudani expressed satisfaction with the talks in Tehran and hoped that the “negotiations and agreements signed would enhance and deepen the relationship between the two nations.”

He reiterated Iraq’s consistent stance of supporting “the will of the Syrian people, safeguarding its independence and territorial integrity, and working towards forming an inclusive government.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Sudani met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

to discuss regional developments and to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields.

In a joint press conference, Pezeshkian described Iraq as a key partner for Iran, stating: “We are pleased that relations between the two countries are at their highest levels, with cooperation expanding day by day.”

“Iran constantly strives for peace, stability, and development in the region. The security, growth, and welfare of the Iraqi people are of great importance to Iran,” he added.

The Iranian president noted that the two nations share concerns regarding Syria, including its stability, territorial unity, combating terrorist groups, the removal of Israeli influence from occupied areas, and the protection of Shiite religious sites.

He stressed that the resurgence of terrorism and the reactivation of terrorist cells remain a shared threat, making collaboration and vigilance between Iraq and Iran more crucial than ever.

During his visit, Sudani reiterated Iraq’s respect for “the will of the Syrian people” and its support for “any political or constitutional system they choose without foreign interference.”

He also expressed Iraq’s readiness to cooperate with all parties to facilitate a peaceful transition in Syria that reflects the people’s aspirations.

Sudani landed in Tehran on Wednesday for an official one-day visit. Upon his arrival at Mehrabad Airport in western Tehran, he was received by Iranian Minister of Economy Abdolnasser Hemmati.