(Brussels Times) After the liberation of Iraqi and Syrian territories from the self-proclaimed caliphate of the Islamic State (IS), certain European countries have chosen to repatriate the children of IS fighters as well as their mothers — if they possessed European citizenship.
From Monday to Tuesday, Belgium repatriated 16 children and 6 mothers who have been detained in Syria since the collapse of IS in 2019, reported Le Soir. It is the second operation of its kind for Belgium after the country repatriated from Syria ten children and six mothers in July 2021.
The move comes after decisions taken by the National Security Council (CNS) on 2 June.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s office explained that “the priority of the CNS has always been to put the children of Belgian nationality in safety and to offer them a future in Belgium. But all analysis shows that repatriating mothers strengthens our national security, allowing for better monitoring and strengthening control.”
