Belgium: ten children of jihadist fighters and six mothers repatriated from Syria

In the Roj camp, in Syrian Kurdistan, where families of jihadists are gathered.

GIHAD DARWISH / AFP

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4 min

This is the largest return operation organized by Belgium since the fall of the Islamic State organization in 2019: ten Belgian children of jihadist fighters and six mothers were repatriated from the Roj camp in Syria.

Belgium, along with France, is one of the European countries that have seen the largest number of foreign fighters leave for Syria.

From 2012, more than 400 Belgians left to fight in the ranks of jihadist organizations.

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According to the statement from the head of government, the six women were immediately transferred to prison upon their arrival in Belgium.

As for the ten children, they were handed over to the Youth Prosecutor's Office.

After a medical examination, they should be taken into the care of child protection services.

According to a study by a group of researchers, around 40 Belgian nationals who were minors were still in Syria at the start of the year.

Repatriating these children of jihadists under 12 and their mothers was a promise made in March by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

This is good news, which is hopeful ...

Robin Binsard, criminal lawyer

Sophia khatsenkova

For humanitarian and health reasons first, the situation has deteriorated markedly in the camps in northeastern Syria managed by Kurdish forces.

But also for security reasons for Belgium.

“To 

leave them there,”

the Prime Minister had specified, “

was to make them the terrorists of tomorrow. 

"

The anti-terrorism services had given the green light.

Ocam, the organization responsible for analyzing this threat, judged that the “ 

permanent monitoring 

” of these children and mothers was “ 

much easier 

” to ensure on Belgian soil.

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  • Belgium

  • EI

  • Syria

  • Terrorism