More than 30 repatriated to Kosovo, northern Macedonia, from Syria, Iraq

Internal Affairs Minister Jhelal Sfechla said through social networks that “returning these people, we're exercising our responsibility, not only to our citizens, but also as members of the Global Coalition to defeat I SIS”

Interior Minister said the returning wife and children need assistance and support, calling for their privacy to be respected.

“They have and deserve to have the time and space necessary to adapt. Our government is helping them get back to their families so that they can re-integrate in their area”, Minister Sfechla wrote.

He said those who committed crimes, here or outside, will be prosecuted.

The return of Kosovo citizens from Syria was welcomed by the US Embassy in Pristina, which through social networks said that the return of these citizens demonstrates Kosovo's will to take responsibility for its citizens while setting an example for others. Kosovo is the leader in the fight against terrorism and extremism”.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, about 400 Kosovo citizens are believed to be involved in the Middle East conflicts. Over 70 people have lost their lives as hundreds have returned from there for years, largely disappointed with what they faced. Over 50 people have so far been convicted of involvement in wars in the Middle East inciting and recruiting warriors. Authorities say that even further in conflict areas, fighters, women and children from Kosovo remained.

Skopje, 4 members of I SIS and their families

The Northern Macedonia government also announced that it has made the repatriation of four citizens from Syria and Iraq, terrorists fighters and five women and 14 children, their family members. The process of returning them home has been made according to North Macedonia's pledges stemming from international law, international human rights laws and standards and UN Security Council resolutions.

Against the four warriors of the terrorist organisation “Islamic State” have filed a corresponding indictment on the basis of data provided by the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs and its Bureau for Public Security in co-ordination with the Agency for National Security, reportedly in a government communiqué in Skopje.

Authorities had issued international warrants for them, while in absence they were assigned detention measures.

The repatriated women and children will be placed in 14 - day quarantine on voluntary basis and subject to medical checkups in accordance with the Law to Protect the Population From infectious diseases. The government further announces that the respective services will collect data on possible participation of returnees home to criminal acts, in any case separately.

The government stresses that with the exception of the possibility of their involvement in punishable works and, in all, respecting the principle of their will, the process of rehabilitation, resocialisation and reintegration in the community and society will begin.

Authorities do not speak of the nationality of members of the Islamic State and wives and children returned.

In the past there have been groups and individuals from Northern Macedonia who joined the terrorist organisation in Syria and Iraq, whose numbers are estimated to be more than 200 to 300, though authorities have never provided public figures. Some have been killed in battles there or under unknown circumstances, while some had managed to return to despair and regret the action and what they had seen in these Middle Eastern states. / VOA