January 20, 2026, 2:50 p.mJan 20, 2026, 3:47 p.m
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by Kurdish militias, say they are withdrawing from the notorious al-Hol camp in Syria.
In the camp that the SDF has previously guarded Thousands of members of the terrorist militia “Islamic State” (IS) were accommodatedespecially women, children and young people. The withdrawal follows an offensive by government troops in the northeast.
The al-Hol camp was previously under SDF control.Image: keystone
The camp is not officially a prison, but is often described as such by residents. You cannot leave the camp voluntarily.
“Due to the Indifference of the international community towards the IS problem» the SDF forces were forced to withdraw from the camp, it said in a press release. They accused the international community of failing to fulfill its responsibility in dealing with “this serious matter”. The SDF units have been relocated to other areas in northeast Syria.
USA informed about SDF withdrawal
The Syrian army confirmed the withdrawal of SDF forces. They accused them of allowing those “imprisoned” there to escape. The army will advance into the area and secure the situationit said. At the same time, the army reiterated its commitment to protecting the Kurdish population. The aim of the operation is to restore stability and protect state institutions. The Syrian army sees itself as a “fortress for all Syrians”it continued.
American soldiers in Syria, January 16, 2026.Image: keystone
Meanwhile, the Syrian interim government said it had informed the US of the planned SDF withdrawal from its positions around the camp. Since last night, the American side has been officially informed of the SDF’s intentions, according to a government statement published by the state news agency Sana.
The government has declared to the USA and “all relevant parties” its immediate willingness to take control of the affected positions and ensure their security. The aim is to maintain the stability of the camp and prevent terrorist groups from exploiting the situation.
Camp as a breeding ground for IS
Even before the announcement, Kurdish officials had expressed fears of a loss of control over the prisons or camps for IS fighters and their relatives could encourage IS to grow stronger and drag the entire region into a new phase of violence and instability.
A person in charge of the camp told the German Press Agency, Women tried to escape. “Chaos everywhere”he said. Some of the women were already destroying their own tents and homes.
Mainly Syrians and Iraqis live in al-Hol, but also people with citizenship in EU countries, North America or Central Asia. According to information from the camp, 13 people with German citizenship who once joined IS still live there today. In total, around 23,000 people live in the al-Hol camp today, mostly women and children.
It is not officially a prison, but the inmates are not allowed to leave the camp.Image: keystone
After the military victory over IS in 2019, relatives of IS fighters were isolated in camps such as al-Hol for security reasons. The Kurdish-led militias controlled, managed and secured the camp.
Al-Hol has been considered high risk for years. The supply for the camp residents is inadequate. Terrorism experts have been warning for years that… Due to its isolation, the camp is a breeding ground for the ideology of the “Islamic State” is. According to their own statements, residents live in a kind of legal vacuum. Murders and other acts of violence occur there again and again. According to those responsible, IS continues to exert influence on the residents and order attacks. Children who grow up there are often referred to as… “Puppies of the Caliphate” designated.
IS fighters continue to be active in Syria
In 2014, IS overran large areas in Syria and neighboring Iraq. At times he controlled about a third of Syria and 40 percent of Iraq. The USA then began a fight against IS – the SDF was one of its most important allies. The terrorist militia is considered to have been defeated militarily. It is estimated that around 2,500 IS fighters are still active in both countries and are also carrying out attacks.
In Syria, government troops and their allies have been advancing further and further into the Kurdish areas in the north and east of the country for several days. The background is a dispute over the integration of the previously autonomously administered Kurdish areas into the state system. Since an agreement on this has not yet been implemented, deadly fighting broke out. The interim government is moving further and further into the areas previously controlled by Kurds. A ceasefire that was actually announced on Sunday now appears to have effectively ended. (rbu/sda/dpa)