Despite many operations by the security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), ISIS terror continues to prevail in many places in Hol Camp. Dozens of people have been murdered in the camp over the past twelve months. Most recently, two Egyptian women were murdered in the section for international ISIS members. The murders are often the work of the Hisba, a kind of ISIS women's police. The Hisba repeatedly commits gruesome murders of alleged apostates and their family members. On 15 November, for example, the decapitated bodies of two children were discovered. This crime also bore the signature of the Hisba. 

ISIS is trying to indoctrinate people in the camp through the women and ISIS cells, and in particular to raise the children and young people to become a new generation of ISIS. To make this possible, ISIS tries to destroy any form of other thinking in the camp through murders.

ESCAPE ATTEMPTS AND ATTACK AFTER TURKISH BOMBARDMENT

On 23 November, the Turkish air force attacked the checkpoints of the internal security forces at Hol Camp. This was followed by an increase in attempted escapes by ISIS members and attacks by ISIS.

Cîhan Henan, a member of the camp management, spoke to ANHA about the situation in the camp and the "Humanitarian Security Operation" in August and September. Henan pointed out that the operation was not very sustainable due to the Turkish attacks: "After the operation started, the security situation in the camp improved a bit. However, since the Turkish occupation attacks on the camp's checkpoints, there has been chaos and attempts to escape."

The 24-day sweep of the camp between 25 August 2022 and 17 September 2022 saw six women freed from captivity, countless weapons recovered and ISIS cells broken up. 226 IS members, including 36 women, were arrested. The women were involved in murders and torture. Two SDF fighters were killed in the operation.

"THE CAMP COULD GET OUT OF CONTROL AT ANY MOMENT"

Cîhan Henan continued, "If the Turkish occupation state's attacks on the region continue, the camp could go out of control at any moment. This would be a disaster for all humanity." Cîhan Henan also demanded that Iraqi nationals and internally displaced persons from Syria be allowed to return and that foreign ISIS members be taken over by their home states.

HOL CAMP IN NUMBERS

Located 45 kilometres east of Hesekê, Hol Camp is considered the most dangerous camp in the world. According to current statistics, there are 53,098 people in the camp, which consists of nine sections, distributed among 14,601 families. There are 27,118 Iraqi nationals in 7,275 families and 18,166 Syrian nationals in 5,024 families. In addition, there are 7,803 women, children and adolescents among the international ISIS members in 2,291 families. The ISIS members come from 54 countries.