Escaping ISIS Detainees from Syria’s Al-Hol Camp Sparks Security Concerns
The fugitives, consisting of Iraqi and Syrian nationals, managed to flee despite heavy security measures surrounding the camp.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Security sources have reported that several ISIS detainees, including Iraqis and Syrians, have escaped from the al-Hol camp in northeast Syria. The attempted breakout led to a swift response from security forces, who managed to neutralize the escape effort.
According to a report published by Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday, security sources confirmed that five ISIS members escaped from the al-Hol camp on Thursday night. The fugitives, consisting of Iraqi and Syrian nationals, managed to flee despite heavy security measures surrounding the camp.
The same sources indicated that internal security forces in the camp quickly launched a counter-operation and were able to apprehend the escapees before they could leave the perimeter.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the security of detention centers in northeast Syria. The reduction of international support, particularly from the United States, has significantly impacted the management of camps and prisons holding thousands of ISIS-linked detainees. The withdrawal of aid has left authorities struggling to maintain order and prevent jailbreaks.
Earlier this month, on Feb. 12, 2025, Sheikhmous Ahmad, the co-chair of the Autonomous Administration’s Refugee and Displaced Affairs Office, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that his administration is actively working on a plan to dismantle all camps under its control. He emphasized coordination with international bodies to facilitate the return of camp residents to their home countries.
Al-Hol camp, which is jointly managed by the Kurdish-led administration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), houses thousands of internally displaced persons and Iraqi refugees, including the families of former ISIS fighters. However, with diminishing international support, the prospect of repatriation has become increasingly complicated.
In response to these developments, Human Rights Watch has warned that deteriorating conditions in al-Hol and other camps could create a humanitarian crisis. The organization stressed that the prolonged detention of thousands of individuals, including women and children, without legal recourse or a clear path to repatriation poses serious human rights violations.
On Feb. 11, 2025, Qasim al-Araji, Iraq’s National Security Advisor, reiterated Iraq’s position on the matter, stating, “al-Hol camp must be emptied.”
Al-Hol camp, located in Syria’s Hasakeh province, was originally established as a refugee camp but has since become a high-security detention facility for ISIS-linked individuals. It holds displaced civilians and suspected ISIS fighters' families. The camp has been a growing concern for regional security, with repeated escape attempts and reports of radicalization among detainees.
The escape attempt underscores the fragile security situation in northeast Syria, where the Kurdish-led administration faces mounting challenges in controlling the remnants of ISIS amid decreasing international assistance. Experts warn that without a sustainable solution for detainees, the region risks further instability and the resurgence of extremist threats.
