Twenty of the ISIS members arrested were leaders within the camp and responsible for a wave of murders this year. Security forces also seized “military supplies” and “electronic circuits used in explosive devices,” Ali al-Hassan, spokesperson for the Asayish (internal security forces), said in a press conference in al-Hol.
Security forces, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), launched a major campaign on March 28, sending more than 5,000 troops into al-Hol camp, which is troubled by insecurity. The camp houses an estimated 61,000 people from dozens of countries, the majority of whom are family members of suspected ISIS fighters. They have been interned in the camp since the territorial defeat of the group two years ago. Two thirds of the camp’s population are children. The camp has been described as a humanitarian disaster and a potential breeding ground for extremism.
Col. Wayne Marotto, spokesperson for the US-led coalition against ISIS congratulated the SDF and Asayish "on a successful operation" to "bolster safety and security" in al-Hol camp.
According to Hassan, more than 47 people have been murdered inside al-Hol this year. Despite the large numbers of arrests in what was the first phase of a campaign, “the danger in al-Hol camp is not over yet,” said Hassan.
“The success of our operation created a safer and more stable environment in al-Hol camp. This will not last long without international support. It is now time to seize this opportunity and come up with a long-term solution together,” said Hassan, calling on foreign governments to repatriate their nationals being housed in the camp.
Many foreign governments, in Europe in particular, have resisted bringing their citizens home, citing security concerns. So far, most repatriations have been of children.
Updated at 8:00 pm
