The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have arrested thousands of jihadists in the fight against the Islamic State, and thousands more have surrendered. The majority of jihadists captured in operations on al-Baghouz are foreigners. However, there are also 6,000 Syrian jihadists among the prisoners.

Terrorists on trial

The security forces have handed over the finished files to the People's Defense Court. The People's Defense Court was established in 2014 on the decision of the Legislative Council and hears those involved in crimes against the people of northern and eastern Syria.

So far, the court held the trial of 1,724 jihadists. In the first part of the proceedings, the court records the defendants' statements and identifies the offenses. In the second part of the procedure, a decision corresponding to the deeds is made. For the terrorists who do not confess their crimes, the court resorts to witnesses and present concrete evidences. The defendants have the right to appeal against the sentences passed.

Committee for foreign jihadists founded

The Council for Social Justice in North and East Syria has set up a committee to prepare for trials against jihadists from abroad who were captured by the SDF. This committee deals with international law and meets with international officials and the countries of origin of the defendants. While the Council consistently stresses that an international tribunal in North East Syria needs to be established to condemn the jihadists there, no positive response has yet been obtained.

Luqman Xidir Ibrahim from the committee warns that the possibilities of self-government are limited in the face of thousands of foreign jihadists under arrest in the region. Highlighting the need for international support, he remarked that Germany and France would support the establishment of an international court for the trial of the jihadists.