Al-Hol Camp, located to the east of Hasaka city near the Syrian-Iraqi border, remains one of the most dangerous hotspots in the security and humanitarian landscape of North and East Syria.
The camp was initially established in the early 1990s to accommodate Iraqi refugees, reopened after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and later became a strategic and perilous zone following its occupation by ISIS militants, who used it as a transit point between Syria and Iraq.
Following the camp’s liberation by the Syrian Democratic Forces in 2015, it was repurposed to host tens of thousands of Syrian internally displaced persons fleeing the war. It also came to house the families of ISIS fighters following the group’s territorial defeat in its last stronghold of Baghouz in March 2019.
The situation in the camp grew increasingly volatile after this territorial defeat, as the families of ISIS mercenaries were transferred to al-Hol, turning it into a “ticking time bomb” threatening both local and regional security. At its peak, the camp housed approximately 74,000 individuals, the majority of whom were women and children with deep-rooted extremist affiliations.
Over time, an extremist infrastructure reemerged within the camp, reproducing the ideological and organizational frameworks of ISIS in new forms. The camp has become a fertile ground for child recruitment, the establishment of clandestine Sharia courts, and the execution of targeted killings and acts of intimidation against individuals who renounce extremist beliefs.
Security Campaigns Confronting the Threats
In response to this alarming reality, the Internal Security Forces, supported by the YPJ and the SDF, have launched a series of targeted operations to dismantle ISIS cells and disrupt their ideological and organizational presence within al-Hol Camp.
The Humanitarian and Security Operation
The first phase began on March 28, 2021, and lasted until April 2. During this period, 125 ISIS operatives were arrested, including 20 leaders, and explosive devices and communication equipment were confiscated. This operation came after a wave of assassinations targeting civilians and women who had publicly renounced extremism—clear indications of ISIS’s attempts to reassert control within the camp.
The second phase was launched on August 25, 2022, after more than a year of delay due to intensified Turkish military aggression against North and East Syria. This campaign exposed the alarming resurgence of ISIS cells, particularly the reconstitution of the so-called “Hisbah” religious police by extremist women, who also conducted ideological indoctrination programs targeting children.
This phase resulted in the arrest of 226 ISIS affiliates, including 36 women, the discovery and destruction of 25 tunnels, and the liberation of two Yazidi girls and four non-Yazidi women who had been subjected to slavery and torture.
On January 27, 2024, the third phase was launched following intelligence reports indicating that ISIS was exploiting the diversion of security forces due to renewed Turkish escalation. The ten-day operation led to the arrest of 85 ISIS militants and the killing of a senior ISIS figure, known as "Abu Sufyan al-Lehebi", who was responsible for coordinating terrorist operations inside and outside the camp. The operation also resulted in the liberation of Yazidi woman Kovan Eido Khirto, who had been abducted for ten years.
Operation “Enduring Security”
On November 6, 2024, the operation titled “Enduring Security” was launched, expanding the scope of action to include the camp's surroundings and nearby rural areas. More than 100 square kilometers were combed, 79 ISIS operatives were arrested, and the body of a woman was discovered—killed by the “Female Hisbah”—a crime that underscores the continued influence of extremist ideology among some residents.
The Latest Security Campaign
On April 18, 2025, the Internal Security Forces launched a new security campaign following credible intelligence reports about increased activity of ISIS sleeper cells in the camp and ongoing efforts to recruit members and smuggle families out. As of April 20, 20 ISIS operatives had been arrested and a cache of weapons and ammunition was seized, reaffirming that the camp remains a serious security threat.
Today, al-Hol Camp constitutes a fully developed environment for the resurgence of ISIS gangs. In the absence of effective rehabilitation programs and with the persistence of radical ideology, the camp has become a fertile breeding ground for renewed extremism, particularly among children who are indoctrinated from an early age through so-called “Cubs of the Caliphate” training programs.
Extremist women continue to enforce a “religious authority” through violence and intimidation, leading to acts of murder against women who abandon extremist beliefs. This situation poses an imminent threat not only to the stability of the region but also to international security.
International Inaction Deepens the Tragedy
Despite significant security efforts by the Internal Security Forces, the Women’s Protection Units, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the persistent international neglect of the camp constitutes a compounding threat. Most Western countries continue to refuse the repatriation of their nationals, thereby shirking both their legal and moral responsibilities.
Moreover, there exists no international legal framework to prosecute detained ISIS mercenaries, while the Autonomous Administration bears the full burden—without adequate funding or institutional support.
The lack of humanitarian aid and the absence of rehabilitation programs have further contributed to an environment saturated with frustration and extremism, raising serious concerns that the camp may transform from a detention facility into a new launchpad for terrorism.
Recommendations and Strategic Imperatives
Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes the launch of an international initiative to assume shared responsibility. This should involve the resettlement of families, and the rehabilitation of women and children.
Equally crucial is the establishment of a special international tribunal to prosecute ISIS mercenaries under international law, and on the soil of North and East Syria, where these crimes were committed.
Expanding psychosocial rehabilitation and educational programs under the supervision of specialized international organizations is also essential. Furthermore, financial and logistical support to the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria must be significantly increased. An international monitoring mechanism within the camp must also be instituted to halt ongoing violations and contain extremist ideologies.
Updated Camp Demographics
According to the latest figures obtained from the administration of Al-Hol Camp, the total number of residents stands at approximately 35,323 individuals, divided into three primary categories: Syrians constitute the largest group with 15,805 individuals, followed by Iraqis at 13,124, and 6,385 foreigners from various nationalities.
These figures indicate the continued presence of a substantial population, comprising individuals influenced by ISIS ideology, alongside thousands of children who were born and raised in an environment deeply infused with extremism. This exacerbates the already complex humanitarian and security challenges facing the camp.
Ignoring the Al-Hol crisis any further will not only facilitate the spread of extremist ideologies but may also give rise to a new generation of mercenaries and terrorists, posing a global security threat. The camp is not merely a humanitarian concern—it is a strategic security challenge that demands urgent international attention and a genuine partnership in crafting sustainable solutions.
a.k
ANHA
