In the Media: Christophe Paulussen on the transfer of IS (Islamic State) detainees in northeastern Syria.

January 23, 2026

On Friday, January 23rd, NRC wrote an article about the uncertain and dangerous situation of IS (Islamic State) detainees in northeastern Syria, including Dutch nationals, after major changes on the ground. In the article, NRC quoted ICCT Associate Fellow Christophe Paulussen.

"This is not only because the humanitarian situation in the camps is extremely dire, but also because there is an obligation under international law to bring terrorism suspects to justice," Paulussen stated. Meanwhile, he stressed that IS detainees should be repatriated to their home countries and prosecuted before domestic courts.

Read the full article (in Dutch) here:

Al tien jaar werden IS-gevangenen vastgehouden in Syrië. Nu het regeringsleger het kamp in handen heeft, is het lot van de Nederlandse verdachten ongewis

Related in the media

In the media

January 21, 2026

In the media: Thomas Renard on the recent clashes between Kurdish forces and the Syrian army, and the potential implications of the jihadist detained by the Kurds in the region.

In the media

January 19, 2026

In the Media: Thomas Renard on the situation of foreign terrorist fighters detained in Syria

In the media

July 16, 2025

In the Media: Tanya Mehra on the Repatriation of ISIS Foreign Fighters and Families

In the media

August 12, 2024

Topics

In the Media: Christophe Paulussen on the transfer of IS (Islamic State) detainees in northeastern Syria.

Related in the media

In the media: Thomas Renard on the recent clashes between Kurdish forces and the Syrian army, and the potential implications of the jihadist detained by the Kurds in the region.

In the Media: Thomas Renard on the situation of foreign terrorist fighters detained in Syria

In the Media: Tanya Mehra on the Repatriation of ISIS Foreign Fighters and Families

In the media: Adrian Shtuni on ISIS-inspired attack outside Israeli Embassy in Belgrade