AANES repatriates members of ISIS families to Austrian delegation

On Friday, March 1, 2025, a delegation from the Austrian government, led by Günter Riesner, Deputy Head of the Security Affairs Department at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Andreas Adler, an advisor in the same department, visited North and East Syria.

The delegation was received at the Department of Foreign Relations of the Autonomous Administration by Roubel Baho, Deputy Co-Chair of the Department, Khaled Ibrahim, a member of the Administrative Body, and Lana Hussein, a representative of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), according to the department’s official website.

During the meeting, members of the Administrative Body addressed political, humanitarian, and security issues, emphasizing the Autonomous Administration’s vision for a decentralized solution to the Syrian crisis.

They also discussed the recent National Dialogue Conference, noting that it failed to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people and did not adequately reflect Syria’s sectarian, cultural, and ethnic diversity. The conference was criticized for marginalizing and excluding forces representing the regions under the administration’s control.

The officials further highlighted the continued Turkish military operations and attacks by Turkish-backed forces on areas such as Tishrin Dam, Manbij, Qaraqozak Bridge, and Ain Issa, which they said were exacerbating the security situation in North and East Syria.

Regarding the camps housing family members of ISIS fighters, the administration’s representatives described the humanitarian situation as severe, especially following the suspension of aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This halt in assistance has significantly impacted the administration’s ability to provide for the camps' essential needs.

Günter Riesner stated that a new Austrian government will assume office next week, and one of its priorities will be addressing the situation in Syria, particularly in North and East Syria, to help ensure that all groups receive their rights.

He added that despite challenges such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, European nations would seek ways to support peaceful actors in the region, especially in light of the U.S. decision to end aid to these camps.

Riesner also expressed gratitude to the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their cooperation in repatriating Austrian citizens despite the difficult circumstances in the region.

At the conclusion of the meeting, two Austrian women and two children from ISIS-affiliated families were formally handed over to the Austrian authorities in accordance with a signed repatriation agreement between both parties.

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ANHA