Hundreds of foreign women who joined Isis captured by Kurdish forces in Syria
Approximately 800 women from multiple western countries detained
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hundreds of foreign women who joined Isis have been captured by Kurdish forces in Syria, it has been reported.
Approximately 800 women from multiple western countries have been detained and are being kept at detention sites.
They have apparently complained they were “beaten and humiliated” during interrogations and have been forced to live in unhygienic conditions with their babies.
“About 800 Isis women with children are in four camps ... they come from around 40 countries. There are women from Canada, France, Great Britain, Tunisia, Yemen, Turkey and Australia,” Human Rights Watch’s terrorism and counterterrorism programme director, Nadim Houry, told Die Welt.
“These women are in a very difficult situation. For the little kids especially, the circumstances are by no means good.”
Mr Houry added that many of the women had said they hoped to return to their home countries, or at the very least, send their children back.
“The children have not committed any crimes, they are the victims of the war and often their radicalised parents,” Mr Houry said.
Kurdish authorities have said they do not wish to prosecute the women and would rather send them back to their home nations.
Several of these countries are opposing the move as they are currently dealing with thousands of returning jihadi fighters.
If a fair trial can be guaranteed the French government has called for any French jihadis who are detained in Syria and Iraq to be tried there.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments