A group of 23 female jihadis are taking their claim to be repatriated back to the Netherlands, together with their 56 children, to the Supreme Court.

Lawyer Andre Seebregts, who is representing some of the women, has told the AD he hopes he case will be heard as soon as possible because winter is looming.

Last month a lower court ruled that the state should make maximum effort to bring back the children but not their mothers. But that was overturned on appeal, when judges said repatriation is a political issue.

The government will not actively try to bring Dutch nationals back because, ministers say, it is too dangerous for civil servants to make the trip.

Seebregts told the AD that he believes the women will get an emergency hearing. ‘Children are on the verge of dying and winter is on its way,’ he told the AD. ‘President Assad is getting closer which means that the women and children risk being tortured.’

The US ambassador to the Netherlands, Pete Hoekstra, has said several times the US is willing to help bring the children, and their mothers, back to the Netherlands.

The issue has divided the cabinet and parliament. The VVD and CDA are opposed to bringing the children, most of whom are under the age of 6, back.