Dutch fighters in ISIS in Syria face an uncertain future: 'The Netherlands considers me a dangerous terrorist'
Dozens of Dutch fighters in ISIS are still held in Syria, including Yassin M. from The Hague, who has spent six years in prison. He hopes for assistance from the Dutch government, emphasizing that being a Dutch citizen gives him the right to be tried in the Netherlands.
The number of Dutch citizens currently detained in areas under Kurdish control is estimated to be around fifteen. Authorities have been demanding their return for years, but the current government does not plan to return them immediately, despite the readiness of criminal files for legal prosecution.
In addition to male fighters, around five women and 25 children are still held in refugee camps in northeastern Syria. Several dozen Dutch jihadist travelers remain at large in Syria and neighboring areas. The public prosecutor has opened investigations against all known travelers, but trials can only begin if they return voluntarily or are repatriated.
The Dutch government says that keeping these individuals abroad reduces the immediate security risks at home. However, experts point out that if these fighters return illegally, they may plan attacks without being detected by the authorities. The repatriation of fighters would allow authorities to monitor them through counter-terrorism units, impose restrictions, and prevent further radicalization.
Since 2013 and 2014, about three hundred Dutch jihadists have traveled to Syria and Iraq; more than a third of them have died, and around 90 have returned to the Netherlands. Many of the returning male fighters received long prison sentences, while women and children were repatriated after court rulings. Authorities are still weighing security risks against legal responsibilities when deciding on the repatriation of additional fighters.