The two were immediately reunited with their relatives in Austria, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday. The ministry did not confirm whether the children were those of Maria G. from Salzburg, who traveled to Syria in 2014. There was also no information on the condition of the children and their parents when asked.
“Protecting the well-being of children is our top priority. It is important that they cannot be separated from their mothers against their will,” said Deputy Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Antonia Praun. Since the outbreak of war in 2011, four minors with Austrian citizenship have been brought back from Syria. In addition, fewer than ten Austrian citizens are currently known to be in the Al-Roj and Al-Hol camps.
In 2019, Austria brought back two children of the allegedly deceased Viennese IS supporter Sabina S. Custody was given to the grandparents. Also in 2019, the Austrian citizenship of Maria G.’s children was determined by DNA testing. She converted to Islam at the age of 17 and joined the Islamic State (IS) six months later. Her parents tried to get her back, but the Foreign Ministry spoke of very limited options in the region.
France recently took in 35 French children from camps in north-eastern Syria. 16 mothers were also brought back to France, the French Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday. The children would now be cared for by social services.
Source: Nachrichten
