New wave of ISIS-affiliated families leave al-Hol camp
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria - Seven Syrian families from Deir ez-Zor were released from al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria (Rojava) on Wednesday to return to their places of origin following an agreement between the Kurdish administration and tribal chiefs. The group totaled 27 people, including 13 children.
According to Munir Mohammad, an official overseeing the release of camp residents, 62 more families were expected to return to Deir ez-Zor on Wednesday, but the process stopped after tensions grew between camp security forces and the families. This is the 19th time that residents of Syrian and Iraqi nationality have been allowed to leave the camp.
Al-Hol camp houses approximately 62,000 refugees, including family members of ISIS fighters and others. The United Nations estimates that, of that number, 80 percent are women and children. A string of killings inside the camp has been blamed on Islamic State women.
According to Munir Mohammad, an official overseeing the release of camp residents, 62 more families were expected to return to Deir ez-Zor on Wednesday, but the process stopped after tensions grew between camp security forces and the families. This is the 19th time that residents of Syrian and Iraqi nationality have been allowed to leave the camp.
Al-Hol camp houses approximately 62,000 refugees, including family members of ISIS fighters and others. The United Nations estimates that, of that number, 80 percent are women and children. A string of killings inside the camp has been blamed on Islamic State women.