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

The statement said: "The Government of Canada has taken exceptional measures to bring six Canadian children back from northeastern Syria."

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

A separate statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the children were brought back from Syria as part of an operation that saw the United States repatriate 11 of its citizens, in addition to Canadian, Dutch, and Finnish citizens.

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

Greenspon added that the family designated to care for the six children has been identified, and the reception clinic was present upon their arrival.

Greenspon confirmed to CBC News in June that the children's mother has not been allowed to return to Canada after failing to pass a security assessment.

Greenspon stated that the government informed him it decided not to repatriate the woman because she "adheres to extremist ideological beliefs" and could pose a risk to the public, noting that the government provided no details on how it reached this decision.

He said, "They do not refer to the depth of their assessment or what they considered or how they reached this conclusion."

Regional authorities contribute to the settlement

In his statement detailing the efforts to return home, Blinken noted that there are nearly 30,000 people from over 60 countries, most of whom are children, still in the al-Hol and Roj camps for displaced persons in Syria.

Blinken added in his statement: "As governments are repatriating their citizens, we urge consideration and flexibility to ensure that family units remain intact to the greatest extent possible."

GAC stated that it is working with regional authorities and non-governmental organizations and "local child welfare and shelter services to facilitate the reception, housing, and other support services for the children."

GAC's statement read: "We also thank the United States for its assistance in repatriating Canadians to their home country and for its steadfast support throughout this process."

Alex Neve, a Canadian human rights lawyer and former secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, responded to the news on the social media platform X, saying it is "welcome news" but also a "glaring missed opportunity to ensure that all Canadians and their families and the return of mothers are addressed from northeastern Syria."

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters on Tuesday that since the children are already facing challenges from detention in a camp, she would not comment further on the matter.

Joly continued: "These children have gone through an extremely difficult situation." "I have been very focused on the children in the camps in northeastern Syria."