Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of children who are among the captured ISIS fighters in Syria; what they estimate the countries of origin of those children to be; and what plans they have to facilitate the reintegration of those children into society and to deter their radicalisation.

We are aware of a significant number of minors among those who fled the final Daesh-held territory of Baghuz in north-eastern Syria in the weeks prior to its capture by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Most of these children are now housed at the Al-Hol displaced persons camp where, according to estimates by UN humanitarian agencies, at least 41,000 of the 72,000 population are under 18; most are understood to be either Syrian or Iraqi nationals. Due to the circumstances on the ground it is not possible for the British Government to make an independent estimate of the numbers of children or their country of origin.

UK aid has provided more than £40 million in humanitarian support in North-Eastern Syria in 2018-19, which includes support for child protection, health care and mental health support. For any British children returning from Syria, a range of specialised support would be offered, tailored to the needs of the individual child.