The Hol Camp, located about 45 kilometres from Hesekê, is the largest camp in northern and eastern Syria with 57,460 residents. The camp is mainly home to thousands of jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia from many different countries. Most of them are women and children. The camp houses 15,603 Iraqi and Syrian families and 8,555 foreign children from about 54 countries. Many of the relatives of IS jihadists continue to live according to IS rules, reorganise IS and try to impose IS ideology on everyone in the camp. The reputation of al-Hol as the new capital of IS is no coincidence. People who do not follow IS rules or distance themselves become targets of assassinations. Thus, at least 126 people were murdered in the period of one year. Furthermore, 41 attempted murders were registered. The security situation is difficult because the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is left alone to control the camp. Appeals to the countries of origin of IS members to take them back have so far mostly gone unheeded.

"IS women punish people who do not follow IS rules"

In the camp, IS women have established militias that especially kill women who turn away from IS. In the process, an IS judiciary has been established that is responsible for many death sentences. Despite numerous operations by internal security forces, the camp remains dangerous. Murders and assassinations are the order of the day. On 28 March, a full-scale "Humanitarian Security Operation" took place in Hol. Within ten days, the camp was searched thoroughly. As many IS members did not give their real details, DNA samples and fingerprints were taken from the camp's inmates. The operation resulted in the capture of 158 IS jihadists.

Despite all the security measures, crimes in the camp are on the rise. This year, a new record of murders was set. These 126 murders were carried out with firearms, cutting and stabbing weapons, but also by strangulation. Most recently, on 12 November, IS jihadists hiding in the camp attacked the temporary part of the camp and killed two people.

41 assassination attempts

In addition, 41 assassination attempts were registered. Two of them were successful. Furthermore, 13 tents were set on fire. Three IS jihadists were killed in clashes during the security operation in the camp. 27 escape attempts from the camp were prevented by the security forces.

"Security in Hol is international responsibility"

On 13 November, Internal Security forces stated, "We are working within our means to ensure the safety of thousands of IS families from different nations in Hol Camp. All international powers must take responsibility to solve problems." The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued Resolution 146 in October 2020, allowing people who cannot be proven to have committed any crime to leave the camp. So far, 48 groups have been released from the camp.

Requests for help remain unanswered

In addition to the danger posed by IS members in Hol Camp, there are also 19,000 IS jihadists in prisons under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). All international requests for assistance from the Autonomous Administration regarding this situation have so far gone unanswered. In Hol Camp, a new generation of IS jihadists is being indoctrinated before the eyes of the international community.