Parents Struggling to Get Back Children from IS Camp

At one point, their children joined the IS militant group in Syria. Now their parents are fighting to bring their children back to the country.

Islamic State militants have been gaining ground in Syria since the beginning of the civil war. Many people from the Middle East and Europe also joined the IS militant group at that time. Many of them are now being held in various camps in Syria. Many countries, including France, have begun trying to bring the detainees back. However, the families of the detainees complained that the government was not taking it as seriously as it should have. Many are reported missing from the camp.

Antonio (not real name) was associated with the trade-union movement in France. He has been campaigning for the workers for a long time. Five years ago, his daughter suddenly left home. After waiting for several days, Antonio learns that his daughter has moved to Syria with a Tunisian friend. Joined IS camp. Antonio said his daughter converted a few days before leaving home. His idea is that he came in contact with IS militants through that friend in Tunisia.

Antonio received news that his 26-year-old daughter had been detained in a Kurdish camp a few days earlier. She also has a child. After receiving the news, Antonio started trying to bring the girl back. But news came that his daughter had disappeared from the camp. He also informed the French government about the matter. But the French government is not taking the matter seriously enough.

The children of the families who joined IS in France have formed an organization. Those who are constantly trying to bring back the children. According to the members of this group, about five thousand children went to join IS from Europe alone. About one and a half thousand people left France. Many of them are now prisoners in different camps. However, many are also getting the news of disappearance from the camp. Many have the idea that the Kurds are moving them from one camp to another.

According to members of the French organization, they do not know what criminal acts their children have committed by joining ISIS. They believe that they should be punished for their crimes. But at the same time, they are vocal about making their trials fair. That is why it is being demanded to bring the children back to the country and run the judicial process.

The French government says it is in the process of repatriating many from Syria. But it will take time to do the job. In the current situation in Syria, it is not possible to bring anyone back quickly. But the organization says the government is not interested in bringing back the children.

But why do those French citizens want to come back? Why do those who once went against their families and enlisted in the IS militant group want to return to the country? According to many who fled the IS camp, a glass paradise was created in front of them. But when they go to Syria, they can understand what is going on there. Faced with reality, they started trying to return to the country. Some have been able to return, some have not. The hope of families who have lost children is that once they are brought back, their children will be able to start a new life.

Source: DW