Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces reach agreement concerning infamous ISIL detention center
Syrian Government and Kurdish Authorities Agree on Evacuation Plan for Al-Hol Camp Residents
After a meeting between local authorities, the central government in Damascus, and a delegation from the U.S.-led international coalition, an agreement has been reached to evacuate Syrian citizens from the sprawling al-Hol camp in the northeastern desert, which houses tens of thousands of people with alleged ties to the ISIL terrorist group.
The agreement involves establishing a "joint mechanism" for returning families from the al-Hol camp. Sheikhmous Ahmed, an official from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that the plan aims to evacuate a group of Syrians living in the camp. Nearly 100 families, totaling approximately 300 individuals, have completed the necessary exit procedures and logistical preparations for their transfer.
Notably, the SDF has denied reports that the administration of the camp will be handed over to Damascus in the near future, maintaining that there was no discussion about this matter during the meeting or with the Damascus government.
This agreement comes after a deal signed in March between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF head Mazloum Abdi, which includes the merger of the SDF into the new government armed forces, as well as the central government's control over all border crossings with Iraq and Türkiye, airports, and oil fields in the northeast.
Human rights groups have criticized the living conditions and pervasive violence in the al-Hol camp for years. The camp houses around 37,000 people, mostly wives and children of ISIL terrorists, as well as nationals of Western countries who traveled to join ISIL. The U.S. military has been urging countries that have citizens at al-Hol and the smaller Roj Camp to repatriate them to prevent further radicalization. Despite the defeat of ISIS in 2019, the group's sleeper cells continue to pose a threat. There are concerns that the evacuation could inadvertently facilitate ISIS recruitment among returning families if they are not properly reintegrated.
Kurdish authorities have stated that there are no immediate plans to transfer the administration of the al-Hol camp to the Syrian government. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with the EU recently lifting sanctions on Syria but warning of potential reinstatement if stability is not maintained.
- In light of the agreement, the joint mechanism for returning families from the al-Hol camp is expected to significantly impact the current politics and general-news regarding human rights, as it aims to address the sensitive issue of housemates with alleged ISIL ties in Syria.
- While the evacuation plan for the al-Hol camp residents appears to be progressing, tensions remain high regarding human rights and political disagreements, particularly in relation to the potential transfer of camp administration from Kurdish authorities to the Syrian Government, as well as the prevention of further ISIL recruitment among returning families.
