Damascus and SDF begin co-ordinating return of Syrians from ISIS-linked camps

Government delegation visits Al Hol camp to plan for detainees' return

Al Hol camp in north-eastern Syria houses tens of thousands of mostly women and children linked to ISIS. AP Photo

Syria’s new ruling authorities have begun co-ordinating with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who control the north-east of the country, over the return of Syrians held in Al Hol camp for ISIS-linked prisoners and their families, camp director Jihan Hanan has told The National.

On Saturday, a Syrian government delegation visited the Al Hol camp for the first time, paving the way for the first return of detainees.

“Syrians in our camp are from areas under government control, like Idlib, Aleppo, Damascus, and need to return to their homes in co-ordination with the government in Damascus,” Ms Hanan said. “We're meeting with the delegation to determine a mechanism. Co-ordination between us and them is necessary.”

Al Hol is part of a network of camps and prisons run by Kurdish-led authorities in the north-east. Earlier in May, US President Donald Trump called on Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara to take responsibility for ISIS detention centres in the region.

Ms Hanan denied speculation that the visit was related to the handover of the camp to the new Syrian authorities.

“The delegation was here regarding the return of the Syrians, not the handover of the camp,” she said.

“It’s a voluntary return, if they want to come back, it will happen through co-ordination with the new authorities.”

In March, a breakthrough agreement was reached with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate most civilian and military institutions in north-east Syria, including border crossings, the airport, and oil and gasfields, under the control of the new central government. The deal has yet to be implemented.

The vast majority of the camp’s 37,000 residents are women and children, including nationals from western countries. Originally established for Iraqi and Syrian civilians fleeing the war against ISIS, the camp’s population surged following the extremist group's defeat in Baghouz in 2019. As a result, it hosts those displaced by war as well as suspected ISIS families.

Asked about the mechanism and who would be eligible for return, Ms Hanan said the details had yet to be determined.

The National visited the sprawling camp in February, where thousands live in dire conditions and which is further threatened by looming aid cuts. Amid the deteriorating situation, Iraq has also launched a repatriation programme, which it says will be completed by 2027.