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The European Union has expressed serious concern over reports that Daesh prisoners have escaped from detention facilities in northeastern Syria, with the bloc's foreign affairs spokesperson calling the situation a major security threat.
Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU Commission's Foreign Relations division, said at a daily press briefing that the fate of foreign terrorist fighters in Syria represents a significant security concern, with claims of Daesh detainee escapes proving "extremely worrying."
El Anouni reiterated the EU's call for parties to reach a comprehensive agreement in northeastern Syria, emphasizing the bloc's continued focus on critical security issues including the safety of the Hol and Roj camps and other detention facilities.
"We will continue to closely monitor the developing situation and focus on critical and important issues such as the security of the Hol and Roj camps and other detention facilities, together with many partners," El Anouni said.
His remarks came after Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot stated that Belgium would not accept the return of citizens who fought in Daesh ranks in Syria. Belgium hosts EU institutions.
The spokesperson called on all parties to take action to ensure security while maintaining the bloc's commitment to fighting Daesh within the framework of the Global Coalition. El Anouni welcomed Iraq's readiness to accept Daesh detainees transferred from Syria.
The terrorist organization YPG/SDF abandoned the Hol Camp, which holds families of Daesh members—mostly women and children—leaving the facility without transferring it to Syrian forces before departing the area.
Syrian security forces secured control of the Hol Camp on January 21.
"The issue of foreign terrorist fighters, particularly those affiliated with Daesh located in northeastern Syria, poses a major security concern. In this context, recent allegations of Daesh detainees escaping during conflicts are extremely worrying," El Anouni stated.
A Syrian government official expressed concern about the possibility that the YPG/SDF terrorist organization could use the Daesh file to create further chaos and terror.
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