Michael Safi travelled to north-east Syria to speak to IS foreign fighters imprisoned there. And discovered that a change in the US administration, and USAid funding cuts, means there is a growing fear of prison breaksA few weeks ago, Michael Safi travelled to north-east Syria, an area controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Here, suspected foreign fighters for Islamic State – including those from Britain – have for years been imprisoned without charge and with no idea of when they would be released.Few prisoners in the camp say they are IS members. Michael and fellow journalist, Will Christou, spoke to a former British surgeon from Leicester who told a surprising story of being ‘tricked’ into crossing into Syria from Turkey. They also met an Australian prisoner, who admitted to being an IS member, and whose family for years did not know his whereabouts. Continue reading...
Michael Safi reports from northeast Syria on Islamic State foreign fighters imprisoned by Kurdish forces. These prisoners, including some from Britain and Australia, are held without charge. Kurdish forces want foreign governments to repatriate them, but many refuse. Concerns are growing about prison breaks due to potential US troop withdrawals and USAID funding cuts affecting food and water supplies to camps holding women and children from former IS territory. IS fighters remain active nearby, highlighting the vulnerability of the prisons and camps.
