( April, 4,2022), A delegation from the United Kingdom headed by the British Consul in Erbil, Jimmy Hamill, arrived on a visit to North and East Syria(NES) to discuss the latest developments in the region.
The delegation was received by the deputy Co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations(DFR), Abeer Elia, head of the Europe office, Shewaz Khalil, and Lana Hussein, member of the YPJ Relations Office.
The two sides discussed the current situation in Syria and in NES in particular, and the economic and security situation in general, where they were put in the picture of the economic and security situation in NES and the ramifications of recent Hassaka events on the population.
“The attack that took place in Al-Hasaka city and what happened in Al-Hol camp is a clear confirmation that there is an urgent need for substantial cooperation to combat the ideology of ISIS, as this war resulted in thousands of detainees and thousands of their families who are in the camps,” said Abeer Elia. Unfortunately, the international community should assume the responsibility, but the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) are still taking the burdens alone, and no comprehensive solution to this dilemma has been found so far.
She added, “The AANES previously called on the international community to establish a tribunal to prosecute ISIS fighters and to assume its responsibilities towards its nationals in the region, or to provide support to the AANES to build rehabilitation centers for children, and to improve security and humanitarian conditions inside prisons and camps, but the response is still inadequate to eliminate terrorism and extremism.”
She also explained that supporting AANES today has become an urgent necessity because terrorism poses a serious threat to the region and the world, as terrorism cannot be eliminated militarily, and it’s very important to support the AANES politically and economically to develop the public services and support the education and health sector, to block the road in front of ISIS attempts to exploit this aspect in the operations of cell recruitment and ideological organization, in addition to increasing relief and humanitarian support.
For his part, The Deputy Consul General in Erbil Jimmy Hamill praised the role played by the SDF and stressed the need to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis per Security Council Resolution (2254), and this is the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability for Syria and this region.
He added, “The war in Syria is one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars in modern human history, and the regime continues to wage war against its people, but the UK is committed to holding those who committed crimes accountable, continuing to fight ISIS and providing assistance to the vulnerable.”
At the end of the meeting, two British orphaned children from ISIS terrorist families were handed over, according to an official handover document between the AANES and the UK.
