Two British Isis members accused of involvement in the beheading of western hostages held in north east Syria have been taken into US custody as a Turkish offensive on the Kurdish region begins. US officials briefed media on the custody operation overnight, with the action first reported by the Washington Post. Estimates vary about the number of foreign Isis fighters held by the Kurdish military, the Syrian Democratic Forces, the SDF, but their numbers are at least 1,000 and potentially double that. There are also an estimated 10,000 or so Isis fighters in detention from Syria and Iraq. Last night, Trump railed against European countries for not taking custody of their own nationals who had been caught in Isis ranks – and suggested they could escape.

Source: The Guardian October 09, 2019 23:26 UTC