Maldivian defense force team in Syria to recover refugees
22 ޑިސެމްބަރު 2019 | އާދީއްތަ 06:27Maldivians in Syria are currently at a special camp formed under an agreement with Turkey
Maldivian militant jihadists in Syria
A team from the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the army is currently in Syria to recover Maldivian refugees.
RaajjeMV understands from a credible source that a team of relevant authorities are in Syria to recover any Maldivians in the war-torn territory who want to return to the country.
Likewise, sources state that the team has already made contact with some Maldivians in Syria, with a number of them expressing interest to return home.
As such, Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed has disclosed that a total of 423 Maldivians attempted to enter Syria to join their internal conflict with 173 people succeeding. Further, he revealed the current total of Maldivians stranded in Syria is 59 people.
Noting that 91% of these refugees are women and children, Hameed stated that only four men are in a state to be brought back to the country.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had previously stated during a press conference that work is underway to bring back the Maldivian refugees in Syria who "wish to return". Further, the president declared that these individuals will be rehabilitated in a designated centre with the help of foreign countries.
While President Solih has alluded to working with two foreign countries, sources further state that the Maldives is collaborating with Turkey on these counter-terrorism efforts.
Likewise, RaajjeMV has also confirmed that a special team from the MPS departed for Turkey over a month ago. Moreover, sources state that the operation is lead by the Maldives' National Counter-Terrorism Centre and that the special team also consists of soldiers from the Maldives National Defense Force.
Maldivians who "wish to return" to the country are currently under the supervision of the special team and are being housed at a designated camp formed under an agreement between the governments of Maldives and Turkey. Further, the special team reportedly updates the families of the refugees at the camp through an exclusive WhatsApp number.
The police commissioner has also previously revealed that Maldivian refugees in Syria will be brought back to the country in the span of six months, following which rehabilitation work will be promptly undertaken.
As such, prior reports of Maldivian jihadists stranded in Syria lead to public discourse on social media with a number of citizens voicing concerns and expressing fear for national security.
