Tensions in north-eastern Syria have prompted the United Nations to take charge of al-Hol camp, a facility sheltering thousands of people accused of links to the Islamic State group, after Kurdish-led forces pulled back from the area.
The withdrawal came as Syrian government forces advanced into the region, sparking disorder inside the camp. Residents reportedly surged against camp fences in an attempt to flee, resulting in looting and unrest that forced aid agencies to halt operations.
The situation follows a ceasefire that brought much of north-eastern Syria under Damascus’ control, ending years of self-rule by Kurdish authorities.
Speaking to the UN Security Council on Thursday, UN official Edem Wosornu said the UN refugee agency UNHCR had "taken over camp management responsibilities" at al-Hol and was coordinating with Syrian authorities to restore humanitarian access. She noted that Syrian forces had established a secure perimeter around the camp.
Despite the UN takeover, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric warned that conditions inside remained "tense and volatile", and humanitarian services have not yet resumed.
Meanwhile, the United States has initiated a separate operation to relocate high-risk IS detainees from the region. US Central Command confirmed that up to 7,000 suspected fighters could be transferred to Iraq, with 150 already moved to a "secure location" across the border.
Iraq has pledged to prosecute all transferred detainees under its national law. Iraq’s deputy UN ambassador, Mohammed Sahib Mejid Marzooq, said: "This is a measure aimed at protecting regional and international security from an imminent threat. Nevertheless, we stress that this issue should not be left to become a long-term strategic burden on Iraq alone."
Syria’s UN ambassador Ibrahim Olabi welcomed the US initiative, noting that the Syrian government was ready to assist with the transfers.
Human rights organizations have voiced concern that the detainees could face serious mistreatment. Reprieve warned that up to ten British men, including juveniles, may be among those moved, urging the UK government to act. The charity added that about 55 to 60 British nationals, most children, remain detained across the region.
"The prisoners transferred face being tortured, sentenced to death and executed, without being granted any meaningful opportunity to contest the allegations against them", Katherine Cornett, Reprieve’s deputy director told the BBC.
The Syrian Democratic Forces, the US, and the UN have long urged countries to repatriate foreign IS suspects and their families due to unstable conditions in prisons and camps. Many governments, however, have refused to take responsibility.
