Syrian Kurds send 8 American women, children captured with ISIS back to the US

BEIRUT — Kurdish authorities in northern Syria have transferred eight U.S. women and children who were captured with the Islamic State group back to America, Kurdish officials said Wednesday.

Abdulkarim Omar, a senior official in the Kurdish self-rule administration, said the group includes two women and six children. He said they were returned at the request of the U.S. government and based on their own desire to return "without any pressure or coercion."

Omar didn't identify the women and children involved, and there was no immediate confirmation or comment from U.S. officials. It was not clear when they left Syria, who they were handed over to, or where in the U.S. they will be taken. It is the second such repatriation of U.S. nationals from Syria. Earlier this year, a woman and four children were returned to the U.S.

RELATED

US-backed Kurdish fighters want international tribunal for ISIS detainees

The U.S-backed Syrian fighters who drove the Islamic State from its last strongholds called Monday for an international tribunal to prosecute hundreds of foreigners rounded up in the nearly five-year campaign against the extremist group.

Since the Islamic State group’s territorial defeat in Syria and Iraq, the issue of which authorities should prosecute ISIS foreign fighters and what to do with the families they left behind has become a priority. Thousands of ISIS members and their families are in camps and detention centers in northern Syria, including around 74,000 people who are being sheltered at al-Hol camp in Hasakeh province.

Thousands of others are caught in Iraq's judicial system, awaiting trial.

Many Western nations have refused to repatriate their nationals, citing security concerns. Others, however, have been taking back their nationals on case by case basis.

On Monday, Kurdish authorities handed over to a Norwegian envoy five orphans of ISIS members who were killed in Syria. Last week, Iraq handed over to Turkey 188 Turkish children of suspected ISIS members.

Omar said only “humanitarian cases” are currently being repatriated, adding that any fighters or women accused of working with the Islamic State will remain in detention, pending trial. Kurdish authorities, who drove the Islamic State group from its last strongholds in Syria, have called for setting up an international tribunal to prosecute hundreds of foreigners rounded up in the five-year campaign against the extremist group.

In Other News

This week in Congress: Last-minute business before the midterms

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 26, 2022.

Remains of soldier who disappeared during Korean War identified

Army Cpl. Joseph J. Puopolo was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, following the Battle of Ch’ongch’on, according to the military.

China using civilian ships to enhance navy capability, reach

China has been increasingly using civilian ships including hundreds of fishing trawlers to back up its vast territorial claims and project military power.

The Navy accused him of arson. Its own investigation showed widespread safety failures.

After the USS Bonhomme Richard fire, investigators found missing fire hoses, a broken sprinkler system and other systemic failures.

Veterans captured fighting in Ukraine return home to Alabama

Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh arrived home to Alabama on Saturday, greeted by hugs, cheers and tears of joy at the state’s main airport.

Load More