Syria confirms mass escape of suspected Islamic State jihadists' relatives from detention camp
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 25, 2026
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Syria's interior ministry confirmed a mass escape of thousands of women and children, relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) jihadists, from al-Hol detention camp following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces who had previously managed the facility. The camp, located in northeastern Syria, was under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), but Kurdish forces abruptly withdrew on January 20 without notifying Syrian authorities or international coalition partners. This sudden departure left the camp vulnerable, allowing more than 138 breaches in its perimeter wall and enabling the escape of thousands of individuals.
Al-Hol had been the largest camp housing relatives of suspected IS members, with a population of 23,500 people, including 6,500 foreigners from 44 different nationalities. The chaotic situation after the Kurdish withdrawal led to a significant security risk, as many of those who fled remain unaccounted for. Syrian forces took control of the camp shortly after the SDF's departure and later moved the remaining families to another site in northern Syria.
The incident raises concerns about the potential threat posed by individuals linked to IS who may have escaped. Prior to the Kurdish withdrawal, the U.S. military had transferred over 5,700 detained IS suspects from Syrian prisons to Iraq, with plans to move an additional 1,300 detainees. The escape highlights the challenges of managing facilities holding jihadist group relatives and the risks of inadequate coordination among conflicting forces.
This situation underscores the ongoing instability in Syria's northeast and the broader implications for global security. The mass escape not only threatens regional stability but also raises concerns about potential international terrorism risks posed by those who fled. It further complicates efforts to counter IS, which had been largely defeated in both Iraq and Syria with U.S.-backed forces.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/25/2026