Damascus, Syria – The Syrian Army Operations Command announced on Tuesday that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had withdrawn from guarding al-Hol camp in the Hasakah countryside.
It indicated that SDF fighters abandoned their positions and released detainees inside the camp. This marks a significant security development in northeastern Syria.
The Command confirmed that the Syrian Army, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, is preparing to enter the al-Hol camp area. Their aim is to secure it and establish security control.
This comes amid growing concerns about the repercussions of the sudden withdrawal on the security and humanitarian situation in the region.
For its part, the SDF justified its decision to withdraw in an official statement,
asserting that “international indifference towards the ISIS terrorist organization
and the failure of the international community to shoulder its responsibilities have compelled our forces to redeploy outside the camp.
” The statement added that the priority has become protecting the cities
and regions of northern Syria from “increasing dangers and threats,” as it put it.
Al-Hol camp is one of the most complex issues in Syria. It houses thousands of women and children from families affiliated with ISIS. These include both Syrian and foreign nationals.
Although not officially classified as a prison, it poses a persistent security and humanitarian challenge.
International organizations have been warning for years about the camp’s dangers, considering
it a breeding ground for extremism and the resurgence of ISIS ideology.
This is particularly true given the weak oversight and the lack of viable solutions for resettling its residents.
Observers believe that a potential Syrian army incursion into Al-Hol camp could represent
a turning point in this thorny issue, which has long fueled regional and international concerns.
This is due to its complex security and humanitarian dimensions that extend beyond Syria’s borders.
