Young children welcome Belgian IS fighters

Children up to 10 years of Belgian IS fighters are entitled to stay in Belgium.

Most children of Belgian IS fighters who are under the age of 18 have been born in Syria or Iraq according to research. Approximately ninety children could qualify for the scheme, or 70 to 80 percent of the group. DNA research must provide certainty about their Belgian lineage.

The children do not automatically get Belgian nationality. That requires a legal procedure.

In children between the ages of ten and 18 who want to return to Belgium, each case is assessed separately. For example, it must be ascertained whether the youngster has received terrorist training or has participated in battles. It would involve about twenty young people.