Former IS Fighter Wants to Leave France, But Algeria Won't Take Him Back
Listen to the story
A man in France, who was once a fighter for Daesh — also known as the Islamic State group — wants to leave the country. He hopes to move to Algeria, but he is currently stuck.
The man says he never felt French and believes he never will. He wants to build a new life in Algeria, the country his family comes from.
However, Algeria has refused to let him return. Because Algeria will not take him back, he cannot leave France, even though he does not want to stay.
This case shows a wider problem for European countries. Many former fighters who joined groups like Daesh during conflicts in the Middle East later want to come home or move elsewhere.
Some of these people hold dual nationality or have family ties to other countries. But not every country agrees to accept them, especially former combatants linked to terrorism.
When a country refuses, the person can become stuck between two nations: unwanted in one, and unable to enter the other. This creates legal and personal difficulties.
Governments must decide how to handle former fighters. Some believe these people should face justice at home. Others worry about the risk of allowing them to move freely.
For the man in this story, his sense of identity is central to his situation. He feels no connection to France, only to Algeria. Yet Algeria's refusal means he remains in a country he wants to leave, with no clear way out.
Vocabulary10 words
- Daesh
- another name for the violent group Islamic State
- Islamic State
- a violent armed group active mainly in the Middle East
- refuse
- to say no to a request
- conflict
- an armed fight or war
- dual nationality
- being a legal citizen of two countries
- combatant
- a person who takes part in fighting
- terrorism
- the use of violence to scare people or governments
- identity
- the sense of who a person is
- justice
- fair legal treatment, often through courts
- authorities
- the government or officials in charge
Quiz
Answer key
1. He was once a fighter for it 2. Algeria refuses to let him return 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A man in France, who was once a fighter for _____, wants to leave the country.
He hopes to move to Algeria, but he is currently _____.
The man says he never felt _____ and believes he never will.
However, Algeria has _____ to let him return.
Because Algeria will not take him back, he cannot leave _____.
This case shows a wider problem for European countries linked to former _____.
Some of these people hold dual _____ or have family ties to other countries.
When a country refuses, the person can become stuck between two _____.
Governments must decide how to handle former _____.
Yet Algeria's refusal means he remains in a country he wants to _____.