In an intensive week-long campaign, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Internal Security Forces (Asayish), led by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and women’s Asayish units, launched Operation Enduring Security to dismantle ISIS cells in and around Syria’s volatile al-Hol (Hol) Camp in Hasakah (Hesekê) governorate. This large-scale security operation saw five thousand fighters, backed by support from the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, conduct sweeping operations in the countryside north and south of al-Hol, as well as in al-Hol town and the camp itself.
Within the first 48 hours, security teams combed through more than 200 villages, stretching 70 kilometres from the Iraqi-Syrian border into the desert. Forces then shifted to more focused operations in al-Hol camp and town, raiding more than 60 ISIS hideouts and strongholds and reaching areas outside al-Hol, including the countryside of Tal Hamis (Til Hemîsê) and Al-Yaarubiyah (Til Koçer) and the east of the city of al-Hasakah. These actions were taken to degrade ISIS activity and enhance the security of the region’s residents, who continue to face threats from remaining extremist elements.
This comprehensive security effort reflects ongoing attempts to eliminate ISIS infrastructure in al-Hol and prevent the militant group from re-establishing networks or launching new attacks. During the five-day operation at the camp, forces conducted extensive searches and implemented additional security protocols within the camp. They noted improvements resulting from previous security and humanitarian efforts, but also uncovered signs of ISIS’s ongoing attempts to reorganise, including efforts to re-form its “Women’s Hisba (Reckoning)” and “Cubs of the Caliphate”. These extremist cells were quickly neutralised by security forces.
Al-Hol camp, home to approximately 40,000 ISIS-affiliated families and displaced persons, remains a critical site for such security operations. The thorough searches uncovered a disturbing scene – the body of a woman who had been tortured and killed, a reminder of the extremism that has taken hold among some ISIS family members. As part of the operation, forces conducted a census, verified camp records and corrected any false identity papers used by residents.
By the end of the operation, forces had captured 79 ISIS fighters, seized a significant cache of weapons, bombs and mines, and arrested 17 women linked to ISIS activities. The security teams also seized communications equipment and ISIS paraphernalia, further disrupting the militant group’s networks.
The operation suffered delays due to Turkish aggression, which was perceived by the SDF as an attempt to disrupt the operation. Despite these setbacks, the operation was completed successfully, with participating forces praising the local population for its cooperation and the international coalition for its continued support.
In their closing remarks, the SDF called on the international community to continue to support al-Hol camp and the surrounding areas, urging assistance without political conditions to ensure a safer future for the residents.
