Rogers Calls for Increased Efforts to Detain, Prosecute ISIS Fighters in Northern Syria

WASHINGTON – Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today reacted to news that the U.S. military is moving to take some Islamic State detainees out of Kurdish-backed prisons.

“The 11,000 captured Islamic State fighters who have been held in northern Syria pose a serious threat to the United States and our allies,”Rogers said. “The president’s announcement that he plans to bring to justice high-risk detainees is a positive step, but more action is needed by other nations to ensure the remaining fighters are not allowed to escape. The administration has indicated that the United States is willing and ready to provide support to these fighters’ home countries, but we cannot address this challenge on our own. The approximately 50 nations who have resisted repatriation of their citizens must take them back and hold them accountable. Turkey must also take responsibility for its actions during this campaign, including the potential for prolonged regional instability and violence. The United States will remain steadfast in our commitment to combat terrorism worldwide.”

###