North and East Syria Foreign Relations official Abulkarim Omar: Autonomous Administration should be involved in international meetings to resolve Syrian crisis

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Following a meeting of ministers of the International Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State in Rome and the issuance of the final statement, the Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Commission of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria, Abdulkarim Omar, explained to North Press Agency that on 3 June, a meeting was held with all European countries and representatives of the U.S. and Canada. During the meeting, it was stressed that the international community and Coalition uphold their responsibilities and repatriate Islamic State (ISIS) detainees and their families from North and East Syria, who are a burden and security risk on the DAA.

Omar pointed out the need to prosecute ISIS members involved in criminal acts, stressing that there is more than enough evidence to try and convict them.

He understands the fears of the European community in returning their nationals, saying that if the children of ISIS remain in the camps, it will lead to the creation of a new terrorist generation because they are receiving training in extremist terrorist ideology and will pose a threat to society in the future.

Assistance should be provided to the DAA to establish appropriate detention facilities and contribute to the trial of ISIS members, said Omar.

Although no representatives from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were present at the Coalition’s meeting, decisions taken at the meeting were the result of discussions between the Coalition and SDF beforehand, he elaborated.

Omar stressed the need to involve the DAA in meetings to resolve the Syrian crisis, especially the meetings of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva and concluded by noting that more international assistance is needed to stabilize areas liberated from ISIS.