Syria confirms ‘mass escape’ from camp housing relatives of ISIL fighters
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
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Syria has confirmed a "mass escape" from the al-Hol camp, which housed relatives of ISIL fighters, following the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces (SDF) from the facility last month. Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba revealed that more than 138 breaches were discovered in the camp's perimeter wall after Syrian security forces took over. The camp, located in Hasakah province near the Iraqi border, had been under SDF control and held over 23,000 people, mostly women, children, and elderly individuals who were not formally accused of crimes but were effectively detained for years.
The situation unfolded after deadly clashes between Syrian government forces and the SDF, which led to the Kurdish-led group withdrawing from the camp on January 20. Al-Baba criticized the SDF for leaving without coordination or informing Syrian authorities, resulting in a chaotic aftermath. While the exact number of escapees remains unclear, some reports suggest that only 1,100 families have been confirmed at a new camp in Akhtarin, Aleppo province, with around 5,000 individuals unaccounted for. These missing individuals are believed to be scattered across rural areas like Aleppo and Idlib, some sheltered by fundraising efforts or smuggled through existing networks.
Syrian officials claim the SDF inflated the camp's population to secure international support, but Al-Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett noted discrepancies in the numbers. The escaped individuals raise concerns about potential security risks tied to ISIL and their vulnerability, as many were taken from al-Hol by unknown men. The SDF defended its withdrawal, stating it was a direct result of Syrian government forces targeting the camp and surrounding areas.
This development highlights broader tensions between Syria's Kurdish regions and central authorities, with implications for regional stability, the potential resurgence of ISIL, and international support dynamics in the region.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026