Asayish arrest four ISIS sleeper cell members in notorious al-Hol camp
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Internal Security Forces (also known as Asayish in Kurdish) arrested four members of ISIS sleeper cells in Syria's notorious al-Hol camp, its media centre said on Tuesday, Hawar News Agency reported.
"Our forces arrested four members of sleeper cells of ISIS mercenaries in al-Hol last night, Monday, January 24,” the Asayish said.
The arrests come amidst serious fighting between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and ISIS in Hasakah city, after 200 ISIS fighters attacked the Sina'a prison in Al-Hasakah city on Jan. 20.
The Asayish said the arrest came during movements of ISIS “sleeper cells trying to take advantage of the exceptional circumstances in Al-Sina’a Prison in Al-Hasakah to move to strike stability in separate places within our regions in the north and east of Syria.”
In the latest movements for our forces to detect suspicious activities. They managed to dismantle a sleeper cell around #Al_Hol town.
— Coordination & Military Ops Center - SDF (@cmoc_sdf) January 25, 2022
The cell get the advantage of the unusual circumstances in #Sina'a prison, to hit stability & security.
Weapons, & tech-equipment were seized. pic.twitter.com/svTJ6ken9x
A large number of weapons and ammunition were seized from the arrested individuals.
There are about 56,000 residents in al-Hol, more than half of whom are under 18. The majority of al-Hol's residents are Iraqis and Syrians. However, many foreign residents also live there, many of whom are believed to have ISIS links.
The local authorities have attempted to reduce pressure on the camp by repatriating Iraqis and allowing displaced Syrians to return home. They have also called on foreign countries to repatriate their citizens.
In recent months there has been an increase in violence in al-Hol.
According to the UN, since January 2021, at least 90 Syrian and Iraqi camp residents have been killed, including two humanitarian workers.
On Jan. 11, a Kurdish paramedic was killed in the al-Hol camp.
Read More: Kurdish paramedic killed in notorious al-Hol camp