After Kurdish pullout, volatile security blocks UN at Syria IS camp

RAQQA,— United Nations access to a key detention camp linked to Islamic State IS/ISIS prisoners has been suspended after a breakdown in security caused by the withdrawal of Kurdish forces and the arrival of Syrian government Islamist troops, highlighting the fragility of aid operations in northeastern Syria.

The UN refugee agency said it has been unable to enter Al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of women and children associated with Islamic State detainees, due to what it described as a volatile situation following the handover of control. Aid deliveries inside the camp were temporarily halted during the disruption.

UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt said teams reached the camp area over the past three days but could not go inside.

She said the agency planned another attempt to access the camp in order to resume bread distribution that had stopped earlier in the week.

Al-Hol has been under Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces administration since 2019, when the group, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, defeated Islamic State in its last territorial strongholds.

More than 21,000 Kurdish fighters, both men and women, were killed in fighting against ISIS and Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist mercenary groups.

The camp has since remained a central holding site for families of suspected jihadists, including thousands of foreigners whose home countries have largely declined to repatriate them.

Former staff members from two aid organizations that operated inside Al-Hol told AFP that residents escaped during a period when no security force was fully in charge. Both spoke anonymously, citing concerns about professional repercussions.

One former worker said most humanitarian groups pulled out on Tuesday because of worsening security conditions.

Another said that while escapes were reported internally, no confirmed figures were available. Both said the camp’s fencing was insufficient to prevent people from leaving without guards in place.

They also said several aid facilities inside the camp were set on fire during the unrest. Humanitarian conditions in Al-Hol were already severe before the security transition, with overcrowding and limited services.

Prior to the withdrawal, Al-Hol housed around 23,000 people. Most were Syrians, but the population also included about 2,200 Iraqis and roughly 6,200 foreign women and children of various nationalities, according to data from the camp’s former management.

Roj camp, another detention site in northeastern Syria still under Kurdish control, holds about 2,300 people, mostly foreigners.

This year, the SDF relinquished control of several territories as part of agreements with Damascus. On Sunday, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a deal with SDF top commander General Mazloum Abdi that included a ceasefire and the incorporation of Kurdish administration in Rojava Kurdistan into the Syrian state framework. Under the deal, the Syrian government would assume responsibility for Islamic State detainees.

The changes were accompanied by developments at Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa city, which holds Islamic State suspects. On Friday, Kurdish guards were transferred out of the facility under an agreement with the Syrian authorities.

Syrian state television said the transfer followed five days of negotiations and that Kurdish fighters were sent to Kobane, a city near Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The SDF later said all its personnel had been moved to secure locations with coalition assistance. Syria’s interior ministry said government forces had taken over the prison.

A Syrian government source told state television that about 800 SDF fighters were involved in the transfer, while detainees linked to Islamic State would be managed in line with Syrian law.

The SDF has since consolidated its presence in parts of Hasaka province, long considered its main stronghold. A four-day ceasefire announced earlier this week was nearing its end as negotiations continued.

The United States has remained engaged in discussions with Kurdish leaders during the transition. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack held meetings with Abdi and senior Kurdish official Elham Ahmad.

Barrack has said the original purpose of Washington’s alliance with the SDF has largely been fulfilled.

On Wednesday, U.S. officials said an operation had begun that could result in the transfer of up to 7,000 Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq. About 150 detainees had been moved so far.

The Syrian army said the transfer of forces from Al-Aqtan prison marked the first step in implementing a January 18 agreement tied to the broader security arrangements.

(With files from AFP)