British Jihadists in Kurdish-Run Camps
The majority of foreign fighters captured in Syria, including British nationals, are held in Kurdish-controlled detention camps in the northeast of the country. These camps are currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish-led militias supported by the United States. The camps house thousands of individuals, including about 10,000 fighters and 46,000 women and children connected to the Islamic State (IS) group, primarily in Al-Hol and Roj camps.
The UK government is keeping a close watch on these developments, with British intelligence services actively monitoring the situation. The concern is whether jihadists, including those linked to IS, may attempt to return to the UK, potentially raising security issues. While the situation in these camps remains relatively stable, the UK is aware of the potential risks, especially as the security environment in Syria remains fluid.
Geopolitical Context and Tensions
The situation is complicated by broader geopolitical tensions in Syria, particularly involving Turkey, which opposes the presence of Kurdish forces near its border. Turkey views the YPG (the Kurdish militia within the SDF) as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group. These tensions have resulted in military offensives by Turkish-backed rebel groups against Kurdish-controlled areas, potentially complicating security and raising the risk of camps being abandoned or disrupted.
However, there is no indication at this stage that the Kurdish forces are under immediate threat of losing control over the camps, despite external pressures. Turkey’s operations and the volatile political situation in the region may contribute to future instability, and the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda factions could try to exploit these shifts in power.
Shamima Begum’s Case
One high-profile case that has garnered attention is that of Shamima Begum, a British woman who traveled to Syria at the age of 15 to join IS. Begum’s British citizenship was revoked in 2019, a decision that left her unable to return to the UK. In August 2024, she lost a final court appeal to challenge the revocation. When asked about Begum’s situation, Dame Angela stated that court decisions had already determined she does not have the right to return. However, she noted that Begum’s legal team could continue pursuing claims on her behalf.
Asylum Claims from Syrians
In response to the rapid changes in Syria following Assad’s regime collapse, the UK has decided to pause decisions on asylum claims from Syrians seeking refuge in the UK. The Home Office has acknowledged that Syria’s political future is too uncertain to make determinations about the safety of returning Syrians. The government stated that while many Syrians had previously fled Assad’s regime, the current situation in Syria remains unstable and fluid, making it difficult to assess asylum cases.
There are currently over 5,000 Syrians in the UK awaiting asylum decisions. With the situation in Syria evolving, there is no timeline for when decisions will be made regarding these cases, and the UK government has confirmed that it will not deport individuals back to Syria until the situation stabilizes and Syria is considered a safe country under UK procedures.
Implications for Future Policy
The future relationship between the UK and Syria, as well as the status of groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is a significant force in the Syrian rebel coalition, is still unclear. This makes any decision regarding Syria’s safety complex. A declaration that Syria is a safe country for repatriation would require careful diplomatic negotiations and may involve engagement with Syria’s new leadership, which remains undefined at this time.
The UK government has indicated that it does not plan to grant time-limited leave to remain to Syrians awaiting asylum decisions. As a result, many of those applicants are likely to remain in asylum accommodation until the situation in the Middle East becomes clearer.
Conclusion
The ongoing situation in Syria remains a significant concern for UK authorities, particularly regarding the potential return of jihadists and the broader implications for asylum policy. The situation is fluid, and the UK is maintaining close surveillance and cooperation with international allies to assess developments. However, the UK is proceeding cautiously, awaiting further clarity as Syria’s future unfolds.