Six Canadian children stuck in Syrian detention camp have now been returned to Canada

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Six Canadian children have been repatriated from Syria according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada. 

Children were brought back overnight in U.S. operation that also saw Dutch, Finnish nationals returned

women and children seen from behind walking along an rural looking road

Women walk with their children in the al-Roj detention camp in Syria. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Six Canadian children have been repatriated from Syria according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada. 

"The Government of Canada has taken extraordinary measures to repatriate six Canadian children from northeastern Syria," the statement said.  

"The focus is now on protecting the children's privacy and ensuring they receive the support and care needed to begin a new life here in Canada."

A separate statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the children were brought back from Syria as part of an operation that saw the U.S. repatriate 11 of its citizens, as well as Canadian, Dutch and Finnish nationals. 

Canadian lawyer Lawrence Greenspon confirmed to CBC News that Global Affairs Canada informed him the children were transferred to Canada overnight, and that all six have now arrived in Montreal. 

Greenspon said that a family has been identified that will care for the six children and the Clinique de Polarization was also present for their arrival.

More to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Zimonjic is a senior writer for CBC News. He has worked as a reporter and columnist in London, England, for the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph and in Canada for Sun Media and the Ottawa Citizen. He is the author of Into The Darkness: An Account of 7/7, published by Random House.

    With files from the Canadian Press

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