France has repatriated 35 children and 16 mothers from camps in Syria holding family members of suspected Islamic State fighters.

The Foreign ministry in France stated this this Tuesday, saying that the minors have been handed over to child protection services while the mothers will face judicial proceedings.

Reports say, families and campaigners have long sought to draw attention to the plight of around 200 French children in Syrian camps after they were either brought to IS territory by their parents or born there during the years of fighting.

According to a report by the Save the Children campaign group last September, one of the biggest and most overcrowded camps is Al-Hol, where about two children die every week on average.

Until now, France had refused to repatriate people in large numbers, arguing that its security concerns were more paramount after a series of attacks from IS jihadists.