Al-Hol Camp.. Gunpowder on the verge of exploding

After the fall of the Baathist regime in December 2024, the pace of events in Syria accelerated, especially in the North and East of the country. With the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries launching intensive attacks on the region for more than 40 days, the way has become open for ISIS mercenaries to move openly, carry out attacks, and implement their plans that they were previously unable to implement.

Among the targets that ISIS mercenaries have set their sights on is al-Hol Camp, as this camp represents a real threat to regional stability, as it hosts more than 38,000 people, most of whom are families of ISIS mercenaries, who are trying to exploit the security chaos in the country to implement organized smuggling plans and escape from the camp.

The results of the "Permanent Security" campaign and the steadfastness of the administration

In this context, the co-chair of al-Hol Camp administration, Jihan Hannan, confirmed that the "Permanent Security" campaign, launched by the Internal Security Forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Women's Protection Units in 2024, contributed to significantly enhancing security inside the camp.

She stressed that the administration is still able to control the situation despite the security complications. She pointed out that the camp is facing increasing challenges in light of the deteriorating political and military situation in Syria.

The attacks of the Turkish occupation and their security and service impacts

Jihan Hannan said that the attacks of the Turkish occupation have severely affected the security and service situations inside the camp.

She explained that in terms of services, the administration is suffering from increasing difficulties in delivering food supplies to the camp, and relief crews are facing great risks that hinder their work, which has led to a reduction in commitment by humanitarian partners.

In terms of security, she confirmed that the attacks of the Turkish occupation have created a security vacuum in some areas, which has encouraged ISIS mercenary cells inside the camp to exploit the situation and escalate their movements.

Escalation of mercenary movements and daily smuggling attempts

Jihan Hannan explained that the families of ISIS mercenaries inside the camp are waiting for any security breach to occur to escape, noting that smuggling attempts have become part of the daily routine of the camp.

She added: "ISIS mercenaries outside are working in coordination with cells inside the camp to get families out. They exploit weather conditions such as rain and fog to carry out their operations under the cover of darkness."

She pointed out that "despite the intensive efforts of the security forces, the vast area of the camp makes it difficult to fully control, which allows some attempts to succeed sometimes chaos and threats to revive ISIS

Jihan Hannan confirmed that chaos inside the camp has become a daily occurrence, represented by families refusing to buy food from local markets, and verbal threats directed at the administration and humanitarian organizations, including promises to leave the camp and revive the so-called "Islamic State". In addition to targeting administrative centers and staff working in the camp on an almost daily basis, including burning centers and attacking cars and security points.

A call to the Global Coalition to assume its responsibilities

The administration of al-Hol Camp called on the Global Coalition to assume its responsibilities towards the camp and the residents of the area, stressing that the camp is part of the problem of ISIS mercenaries, and the coalition must work more seriously to complete efforts to eliminate mercenary cells and prevent their future threats.

Statistics about the camp population

About 38,890 people reside in al-Hol Camp, located in the town of al-Hol, about 40 kilometers south of the city of al-Hasakah, distributed as follows:

16,648 people of Iraqi nationality.

15,848 people of Syrian nationality.

6,385 people of different foreign nationalities.

A danger that cannot be ignored

Al-Hol Camp remains a "time bomb", as it could turn into a new starting point for the return of ISIS mercenary activity if the situation is not contained urgently, as the Turkish occupation attacks on the region of North and East Syria, the chaos witnessed in the camp, the increase in the activity of mercenary cells inside and outside, and the attempt to smuggle mercenary families, are all clear indicators of the need for immediate international action to avoid a major humanitarian and security disaster.

T/ Satt.

ANHA