Kurds reach deal with Syria on repatriation of IS-affiliated families
dpa
Beirut
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in north-eastern Syria have reached a deal with the Syrian government to begin repatriating Islamic State-affiliated families from the Al-Hol camp, a monitor group and Kurdish sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The agreement, announced by senior SDF official Sheikhmous Ahmed, stated that a joint mechanism will be established to facilitate the return of 'Syrian families' from the camp.
'This agreement will not include foreign fighters and their families,' Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The development follows a high-level meeting involving SDF representatives, Syrian government officials and members of the US-led international coalition, Kurdish sources said.
Farhad al Shami, head of the SDF media centre, said: 'There is no change in the status or management of the Al-Hol camp. The Syrian Democratic Forces will continue their duties with increased intensity and consistent support from the concerned international powers.' Al-Hol camp, located in north-eastern Syria, currently holds around 40,000 people, mostly women and children with suspected ties to the Islamic State.
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