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File photo of Defence Forces members. SIPA USA/PA Images
Syria
Former Defence Forces member detained in Syria over alleged ISIS links
The Government has been made aware of the ongoing incident.
LAST UPDATE | 8 Mar 2019
A FORMER MEMBER of the Defence Forces has been detained in Syria for alleged links to Isis.
The woman is believed to have left the force eight years ago and was held in northern Syria earlier this week.
The Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs are aware of the situation.
Sources said the woman has links to the Islamic State terror group.
It is understood the Government was contacted during the week and has been attempting to verify her identity.
Security sources have told TheJournal.ie that the woman left the Defence Forces in 2011 and married a Muslim man. She had earlier converted to Islam. It is believed she left for Syria in 2015 after her initial marriage broke down.
It is believed she is currently being detained by the US armed forces based in northern Syria.
A spokesperson for Government said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports of an Irish citizen detained in northern Syria.
“Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens where it is possible to do so.”
With reporting by Cormac Fitzgerald
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