The US has called on Ireland and other countries to repatriate citizens being held by Kurdish-led forces fighting the Islamic State in Syria.
A 45-year-old man who is originally from Belarus and holds an Irish passport, was detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in early January.
The statement issued today does not mention Ireland specifically but calls on all states, whose citizens have been detained by the SDF, to repatriate them and deal with them through their domestic justice systems.
In the statement titled 'Foreign Terrorist Fighters in Syria', Deputy State Department Spokesman Robert Palladino said: "As they liberated territory from ISIS with courage and resolve, the SDF took into custody hundreds of foreign fighters from dozens of countries around the world. Through their efforts, ISIS is now weakened and on the run and the world is a safer place."
He continued: "Facing the extraordinary challenge of fighting a brutal enemy in a disciplined manner, the SDF has demonstrated a clear commitment to detain these individuals securely and humanely.
The United States calls upon other nations to repatriate and prosecute their citizens detained by the SDF and commends the continued efforts of the SDF to return these foreign terrorist fighters to their countries of origin."
Asked for his reaction to the Irish citizen's detention last month, the Taoiseach said: "any Irish citizen around the world is entitled to consular assistance and will get that".
A Muslim cleric based in West Dublin has called for the Irishman's citizenship to be revoked.
Chair of Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council Dr Umar Al Quadri has also called for anyone travelling to fight with militant groups to be deported.
The SDF announced that it had detained an Irishman on social media on 6 January.
In a tweet, a spokesman said that that he had been captured after heavy clashes between the SDF and ISIS near Deir ez Zor.
Four others were captured in the same engagement: Two US citizens and two fighters from Pakistan.
