The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), backed by the international coalition, detained 50 suspected members of ISIS in an extensive security operation at Syria’s al-Hol Camp. This latest initiative, named ‘Lasting Security’, aims to eliminate ISIS cells operating within the camp and its periphery.
The operation, launched on 4 November, is a coordinated effort to tackle the resurgence of ISIS activity in the al-Hol region. Kurdish-led forces have seized significant quantities of military equipment and weaponry from the detainees, who are accused of attempting to re-establish an ISIS presence through hidden sleeper cells. The SDF reported that ongoing searches in the camp and nearby areas are intended to secure the region and prevent further ISIS-led violence.
Al-Hol Camp, home to tens of thousands of displaced people and families of former ISIS fighters, has long presented security challenges, with frequent reports of unrest and violence among residents. SDF Spokesperson Farhad Shami emphasised the scope of the operation, stating, “In addition to securing al-Hol Camp, we must extend our control over more than 100 villages in the surrounding desert areas, as ISIS members remain hidden within these vast regions.”
The SDF noted an increase in ISIS activity targeting the internal security forces, known as Asayish, with the latest attack on 26 September resulting in the deaths of three SDF members along the al-Hol-al-Shaddadah road. The renewed efforts aim to prevent future violence and ensure stability in a region where ISIS sleeper cells remain a persistent threat.
The Yazidi Rescue Office also announced the successful return of a Yazidi woman to her family after she was abducted by ISIS in Iraq’s Sinjar (Şengal) district 10 years ago. The incident highlights the ongoing impact of ISIS’s past atrocities and the challenges in securing regions affected by its presence.
