Syria Declares Al-Hol Camp Military Zone as It Assumes Control
Key Takeaways
- Al-Hol camp and surroundings declared a closed military zone by Syria.
- Camp houses thousands of Islamic State family members, mostly women and children.
- Damascus has taken control and tightened security around jihadist detention camps.
Military Zone and Closure
The Syrian government declared the Al-Hol camp a fully closed military zone.
“The Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria, dedicated to the families of Islamic State militants”
The Kurdish-led SDF withdrew from the site under military pressure from Damascus.
The UN was able to reach Al-Hol but could not enter due to volatile security.
An Anadolu Agency report noted that the camp had been fully evacuated in February.
Camp Evacuation and Transfer
More than 5,600 families—around 22,000 people—were transferred into Iraqi territory.
The camp was originally established to shelter Iraqi refugees after the 2003 US invasion.
The US announced it had begun transferring around 7,000 detainees to Iraq.
The operation slowed following Baghdad's calls for other countries to repatriate foreign jihadists.
International and Humanitarian Concerns
The handover to Damascus has triggered international concern.
“Lost in the northeastern desert of the country, the Al-Hol prison camp has become the theater of the region's turning point”
The UN is now in charge of the humanitarian aspect.
The transfer represents a major shift in responsibility for one of the world's most densely populated camps.
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