Syria Moves to Close Al-Hol Camp Amid Security Concerns and ISIS Escape Fears
Conditions at the camp have deteriorated since it was transferred from the Syrian Democratic Forces to government control in January, with thousands of residents reportedly fleeing in recent weeks.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Syrian government is preparing to shut down the Al-Hol camp, officials and diplomats said, as authorities struggle to regain control over the sprawling facility that houses tens of thousands of detainees and displaced people.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, conditions at the camp have deteriorated since it was transferred from the Syrian Democratic Forces to government control in January, with thousands of residents reportedly fleeing in recent weeks.
“The government has virtually lost control of the camp,” said Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.
Syrian authorities said Tuesday they are implementing steps to stabilize the situation, including tracking down suspected members of ISIS who escaped and launching programs to reintegrate former detainees into society. Officials added that most remaining residents have been relocated to a new site near Aleppo, which they say offers improved infrastructure and humanitarian services.
Amid concerns that militants could escape during the unrest, the United States military conducted a major operation to transfer roughly 5,700 ISIS fighters from prisons in Syria to Iraq, according to a U.S. defense official, who said the effort concluded Friday and reduced the risk of mass breakouts.
Washington has also scaled back its troop presence, withdrawing from al-Tanf base and handing control to Syrian government forces, a move analysts describe as strategically significant following new cooperation between the two sides against extremist groups.
The planned closure of Al-Hol would mark the end of one of Syria’s longest-running humanitarian and diplomatic crises. However, it poses a critical test for President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who faces pressure to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and maintain regional stability after thousands reportedly fled the camp during recent unrest.