British Isis fighters in Syria 'may be freed if US allows Turkey invasion'

Source: The Guardian

British Isis fighters held in north-east Syria could end up being released if the US allows Turkey to invade the territory, UK politicians and the parent of one detainee have warned. A cross-party group of MPs and peers who visited the region last month warned that Donald Trump’s unexpected Sunday night decision to give Turkey a free hand “risks global security” because it could allow Isis members to escape and regroup.

Chaired by Labour backbencher Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the all-party group on north-east Syria, said it was unclear what would happen to the estimated 18,000 Isis fighters and 70,000-plus refugees, whose numbers include just over 60 adult Britons. The group questioned whether “these dangerous people will remain detained and not be released to find themselves in Athens or London or be used as a bargaining chips against British interests.”

Amongst those held are two of the so-called Beatles, accused of participating in notorious beheadings of hostages, Britons Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, as well Shamima Begum and Jack Letts, both of whom had have their British citizenship stripped in the past year. The prisoners are currently held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a 75,000-strong force that provided the majority of the ground troops in the military campaign to eliminate Isis territorially in Syria, a struggle that ended in March when Isis was expelled from Baghuz.

Britain and other European nations have largely refused to repatriate fighters and put them on trial in their own countries to the frustration of the United States. The Kurdish-dominated administration has alternatively suggested creating a local war crime tribunal.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/isis-fighters-in-syria-may-regain-liberty-if-us-allows-turkey-to-invade