Shelters and tunnels used for education, courts, torture and executions were destroyed in a security operation in Hol Camp. "The destruction of these places used for terror activities will make the camp safer," said camp manager Cihan Henan.
The Northern and Eastern Syria Internal Security Forces General Command announced on 25 August 2022 that the second phase of the Humanitarian and Security Operation had been launched in Hol Camp by SDF, YPG and YPJ forces. By the second day of the operation, more than 27 ISIS mercenaries were captured, while 4 tunnels and shelters used by the mercenaries were destroyed. In the operation, tents used by ISIS secret cell organizations for training, courts, torture rooms and executions were also destroyed by the security forces after they were detected.
Speaking to ANF about the progress of the operation, Cihan Henan, one of the Hol Camp executives, said: “The Humanitarian and Security Operation launched in Hol Camp has been going on for two days. The camp administration requested such an operation because killing in the camp and many other incidents jeopardising security increased. The operation continues successfully."
ISIS mercenaries use empty tents
Cihan Henan pointed out that the empty tents in the camp are used by the mercenaries for their illegal activities and said: “There are about a thousand empty tents in the camp. Due to the situation in the camp, for two years we had no balance sheet for the tents. With the liberation of Baxoz in 2019, the situation in the camp got confused, because families of ISIS mercenaries were placed in the camp thus mixing with refugees. Because of this, there was confusion about the tents. Some took extra tents. ISIS mercenaries also used these empty tents for terrorist activities. In addition, due to the dangerous situation in the camp, the relevant parties could not follow the situation there and could not ensure the removal of the empty tents. Because of the ISIS mercenary structures, the camp administration could not enter the camp and remove these tents.”
Cihan Henan said that the security forces identified and destroyed these places when the security operations were launched, and added: “Thanks to these operations, these tents used for ISIS terrorist activities have also started to be removed. Another aim of this latest operation is to remove those tents used by mercenaries for terrorist activities. Because ISIS uses these tents to hide their crimes and themselves. After the removal of these tents, it will be safer for non-governmental organizations and aid organizations to enter the camp.”
