In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Kurdish authorities and Syria's new transitional government have reached an agreement to relocate thousands of ISIS families from detention camps in eastern Syria.
The landmark deal, announced Monday, will establish a joint mechanism to evacuate Syrian families from the notorious Al-Hol camp and return them to their original communities. This camp, along with others like Roj, has housed approximately 80,000 ISIS-affiliated individuals since the terrorist organization's defeat in 2019 by the US-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
"The Kurdish authorities and the Syrian interim government have reached an agreement to empty the notorious al-Hol camp from Syrians and return them to their homes," a Kurdish official stated. The Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (DAANES), which oversees the civilian administration in Kurdish-controlled territories, confirmed the development.
A delegation from the Syrian government, accompanied by representatives from the US-led coalition against ISIS, visited Al-Hol camp on Saturday—marking the first such visit by the interim government. According to Syria's Interior Ministry, Damascus will assume control of all areas in Rojava, including the problematic detention facilities.
The agreement follows a March meeting between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, reportedly facilitated by Washington. This diplomatic progress comes as the US appears to be reducing its military presence in Syria while maintaining political engagement.
The camps have presented significant humanitarian and security challenges, with approximately 18,000 Iraqi citizens, 16,000 Syrians, and 6,000 foreign ISIS supporters housed in Al-Hol alone. Poor funding has allowed extremist ideologies to persist within the camps, raising concerns about radicalization among thousands of children.
Meanwhile, ISIS remains active in the region, with Syrian authorities recently dismantling a terror cell near Damascus and reports of increased attacks in eastern Syria.
Photo: Roboflow