Arab tribal leaders demand SDF release women, children in camps

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region- Arab tribal leaders in eastern Syria’s Deir Ez-Zor province have called on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to release women and children in camps under their control. 

“We, the sheikhs and prominent individuals signatories of the al-Uqaydat tribe, call on the SDF forces command, in the strongest terms, to release all women and children held in camps,” read a December 20 document reported by local news outlet Deir Ezzor 24. 

The al-Uqdaydat tribe is composed of various clans and is the largest and most influential tribe in the eastern province. 

The tribal leaders called for the release of the women and children due to “the difficult circumstances” faced in the camps, and described the women as representing “the honor and dignity of Arab tribes.” The statement also called for the release of imprisoned tribal members, and humanitarian and agricultural support to locals.

Tens of thousands of women and children linked to the Islamic State (ISIS)  are held in camps across northern Syria, including the notorious al-Hol. The camp is now home to 69,000 people, many of whom fled the last ISIS holdout of Baghouz in  Deir ez-Zor when it was liberated by the SDF in March 2019. 

95% of its residents are women and children. 

The camps population  has swelled since the defeat at Baghouz and is under-equipped and underfunded. In October of 2019, Human Rights Watch reported dire conditions in the camps. Close to 340 children have died due to malnutrition and diarrhea, according to International Rescue Committee.

At least 10,000 of al-Hol’s residents are foreign nationals. Their repatriation from Syria and Iraq has sparked intense debate in Europe and beyond, particularly in cases involving children.

Smugglers are reportedly charging up to $15,000 to smuggle women and children out of al-Hol, which has seen increasing violence since the Turkish incursion in Northern Syria began in October.   

Guards have been attacked and women accused of not adhering to ISIS ideology have been beaten and murdered. 

European countries, fearful their radicalized citizens could pose a security risk if they are permitted to return, have in many cases refused to repatriate the women and children in the camps. However, France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark are some of the several countries who have taken back children born to ISIS-affiliated parents.

The tribal demand is nothing new, and Deir ez-Zor tribes and locals have been working on having their family members back for sometime now. In early December, 200-ISIS linked women and children were to be moved out of al-Hol following a local Deir ez-Zor initiative.

In May of 2019, more than three weeks of protests were led by the local Arab population in Deir ez-Zor, just months after the defeat of ISIS. Besides improved services and better living conditions, locals also demanded the release of  tribal members held in SDF-detention centers for alleged links to ISIS, as well as women and children linked to the terror group.

The locals have many things to be upset about. ISIS activities in the area are on the rise, especially in Deir Ez-Zor countryside. 

Locals have demanded funding for development projects from oil revenue held by the SDF. Tribal leaders are also facing pressure due to local opposition to the re-entry of Syrian regime forces into the area, following a deal with the SDF in light of the Turkish invasion. 

On December 6, Ali Mamlouk, a top Syrian security chief, visited Qamishli city in Northern Syria, to tell tribal leaders to stop supporting the SDF.

 

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