SAS could be sent to bring children of Islamic State fighters back to Britain
Written by News on 30/09/2019
Plans to send members of the SAS into Syria to bring back the British children of Islamic State fighters are being considered by the government.
There are estimated to be around 30 minors with claims to UK citizenship living in camps after being born to British parents who joined IS.
The controversial plans are being discussed by the National Security Council (NSC) but members are currently split on launching operations.
A final decision is expected early next month and, if agreed, only those aged 16 and under would be extracted.
A government spokesperson said: “The safety and security of our country and our communities remains the government’s number one priority.”
It is believed the repatriation plans are being led by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and International Development Secretary Alok Sharma.
Chancellor Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace are understood to be against the move.
While he was home secretary, Mr Javid introduced a law that will see any British citizen who goes to live in a terror hotspot facing up to 10 years in prison.
It is now a specific criminal offence to enter or remain in a “designated area” overseas, under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.
The Home Office estimates more than 900 people of “national security concern” have travelled from the UK to engage with conflict in Syria.
About 20% of those have been killed while overseas, and 40% have returned.
It comes as Ms Patel said Islamic State bride Shamima Begum will never be allowed to return to the UK.
Begum, who fled to join the terror group with two school friends in 2015, has begged to be allowed back in Britain for therapy after all three of her children died in Syria.
But Ms Patel said there was “no way” she could return and it was “quite reassuring” to see the 19-year-old still in the war-ravaged country.
(c) Sky News 2019: SAS could be sent to bring children of Islamic State fighters back to Britain
