The Biden administration orchestrated the largest repatriation from camps in northeast Syria, bringing back 11 US citizens, five of whom were minors, along with citizens from Canada, the Netherlands, Finland, and a non-US minor for the first time. Among them was the family of Brandy Salman, who had been working on repatriation for some time. The US State Department emphasized the need for other countries to follow suit in repatriating citizens from Syria for a lasting solution to the humanitarian crisis.
With over 55,000 people still detained in northeast Syria, including many children, concerns over torture and inhumane treatment persist. The UN report on the escalating hostilities in Syria, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict, highlighted the urgency for countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and others to step up their repatriation efforts. Notable absences in repatriations included Algeria, Turkey, and several European countries.
The plight of the children stranded in camps garnered global attention, with calls for immediate action to release them from unlawful detention. The situation in Syria remains precarious, demanding a collective effort to address the humanitarian and security crisis.