AL-BAGHOUZ, Syria — Indonesian youth who came to join the Islamic State (ISIS) as "immigrants" are among the waves of ISIS suspects and civilians fleeing the group's final stronghold east of the Euphrates.
"When the ‘State’ was announced I came from Indonesia as an immigrant. I used to go to a school to learn the Tawhid [oneness of God], Quran, Hadeeth and Sunnah as well," said Shamil Mohammed an Indonesian girl.
People are fleeing the area east of the Euphrates River near the Iraqi border in droves. The crowd included people from different nationalities.
The US-international coalition backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) then process and receive them.
SDF is demanding for international organizations to help with the rehabilitation of the abandoned children.
“These children who had lost their parents were admitted to Sharia schools by [ISIS] gangsters. They had a special institution to teach them Sharia. But when we receive such children, there are international humanitarian organizations who work on their [rehabilitation],” Adnan Afrini, an SDF commander said.
The SDF say they differentiate between ISIS fighters who surrender themselves and those who vow to fight to the last minute.
Looking lost and exhausted in the eastern Syrian desert of al-Baghouz, some 350 ISIS fighters have laid down their arms in recent days.
"I was one of the members of the state, the Islamic State. I surrendered and I no longer want to fight," said Mohammed Sheikh.
He described the situation in al-Baghouz as "tragic."