The Minister for International Development, Rory Stewart, has said the only way to deal with British ISIS fighters in Syria “in almost every case” is to kill them.
Stewart said ISIS fighters believed in an “extremely hateful doctrine” and had moved away from any allegiance to Britain. They can expect to be killed because of the “serious danger” they pose to the UK’s security, he said.
The government said his comments were in line with the UK’s stated position.
Asked about the comments on BBC Radio 5, Mr Stewart said: “They are absolutely dedicated, as members of the Islamic State, towards the creation of a caliphate. They believe in an extremely hateful doctrine which involves killing themselves, killing others and trying to use violence and brutality to create an 8th Century, or 7th Century, state.
“So I’m afraid we have to be serious about the fact these people are a serious danger to us, and unfortunately, the only way of dealing with them will be, in almost every case, to kill them.”
Mr Stewart’s comments contrast with the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, who recently said that Britons who join ISIS through “naivety” should be spared prosecution if they return home. Max Hill QC said UK authorities should instead look at reintegrating such people.
The Syrian government has long complained that Western aircraft, including RAF fighter planes, have no right to be flying over their sovereign airspace targeting people for assassination.
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