Syrian Forces Seize Al-Hol Camp from Kurdish Control, Detaining Islamic State Militants
- Mahamunimodi Team
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Syria’s national army moved into the sprawling Al-Hol detention camp on Wednesday, a facility that houses relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) fighters, following the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces a day earlier, according to observations by an AFP journalist on the ground.
The reporter witnessed a significant deployment of Syrian soldiers as they opened the camp’s heavy metal gates and entered the compound, while additional troops were positioned outside to secure and guard the main entrance, signalling a formal takeover of the site.
Situated in the remote desert region of Hasakeh province in northeastern Syria, Al-Hol is one of the most sensitive and heavily scrutinised detention camps in the country. It currently holds an estimated 24,000 residents, including roughly 15,000 Syrians and about 6,300 foreign women and children representing 42 different nationalities. Most of the camp’s inhabitants are family members of individuals accused of belonging to or supporting the IS group.
Kurdish authorities announced on Tuesday that they had been “compelled to withdraw” from Al-Hol, citing mounting security pressures as Syrian army advances threatened key cities in the north. Their withdrawal came shortly before a ceasefire was announced, altering the balance of control in the region.
Al-Hol is the largest detention camp established by Kurdish-led forces during their years-long campaign against the Islamic State, a fight conducted with the backing of an international coalition. Although IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group’s legacy continues to pose security, humanitarian, and legal challenges, particularly in camps like Al-Hol, where radicalisation and instability have long been concerns.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Syria’s defence ministry said it was prepared to assume full responsibility for the Al-Hol camp, as well as for “all IS prisoners,” marking a significant shift in oversight and raising new questions about the future management, security, and humanitarian conditions within the camp.
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