Cholera Camp: Syrian Government Takes Over Al-Hol Camp, Legacy of Poison and Global Security Dilemma -

In early 2026, deep in the desert of northeastern Syria, a storm that had been brewing for years finally arrived. The barbed wire of Al-Hol Camp—known as the world's most dangerous camp—was cut open amid the chaos. Women and children in black robes surged toward the breach, attempting to escape the place that had imprisoned them for years. At the same time, Kurdish guards quietly withdrew, and Syrian government military armored vehicles slowly rolled in. The transfer of power was completed amidst the turmoil, leaving an unresolved question: where will these families associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) go?

The handover of the Hol Camp is far from a simple administrative takeover. It marks a new phase in the Syrian war, reveals deep divisions within the international community in addressing the legacy of extremism, and places global security at a delicate and dangerous crossroads.

Chaotic transition of power under a vacuum of authority.

The chaos in Al-Hol camp began on a Monday in January 2026. According to former camp director Jihan Hanan, Kurdish guards suddenly disappeared, and a few hours later, camp residents saw armed personnel they had never encountered before. The Syrian government forces officially took over this massive facility, which housed at least 24,000 people, including approximately 6,500 foreign citizens from 42 different countries.

The handover process was far from smooth. Videos circulating on social media show dozens of women pushing over fences and pouring out of the camp. In another video, female camp residents throw stones at military vehicles and shout loudly. In residential areas of Syria and Iraq, riots broke out, a bakery was set on fire, and thick black smoke billowed. Camp residents gathered at the gate, shouting at a row of police officers in riot gear: Open the camp gate!

This chaos has its deep-seated reasons. Al-Hol camp was originally intended as a temporary solution to accommodate individuals evacuated from ISIS-controlled areas. However, over time, tents transformed into steel structures, and the temporary camp evolved into a semi-permanent city. Residents live under what human rights organizations describe as inhumane conditions, lacking due process and seeing no end to their detention. A 38-year-old camp resident from Idlib, Umm Muhammad, said: We have been without bread for two days. Today, there is not even water. Her daughter is 10 years old and was only 2 when she entered Al-Hol camp 8 years ago.

The withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was not accidental. The SDF claims that their redeployment is aimed at defending cities threatened by government forces. However, analysis reveals that behind the retreat lies a more complex power struggle. The Syrian government is determined to restore control over the entire country, while the SDF has controlled most of the northeastern region over the past decade. The fragile ceasefire agreement reached in March 2025 broke down in early 2026, prompting government forces to launch large-scale military operations extending to the Jazira region and the vicinity of the Hol Camp.

The Security and Humanitarian Crisis Behind the Numbers

The scale of the Huoer Camp is staggering. According to the latest data, the camp's population surged from 10,000 in early 2019 to 74,000 by April of the same year, primarily consisting of women and children. By early 2026, the population had decreased to approximately 24,000, including 14,500 Syrians, nearly 3,000 Iraqis, and about 6,500 foreigners.

Behind these numbers are real people. In the foreigner area, a teenager questioned Syrian government soldiers: Are those cigarettes in your pocket? Do you drink alcohol? We just got rid of the Kurds, and now you're not even Muslims? Another child named Ali, a Turkmen, said his dream was to go out and fight. There were also quieter children, such as an Azerbaijani child asking the soldiers when he could see his older brother, who had been transferred to another detention camp.

The humanitarian situation in the camp has long been a cause for concern. A United Nations report indicates that due to severe overcrowding, weak infrastructure, and a lack of basic services, camp residents are living in extremely harsh conditions. The camp lacks adequate healthcare, safe drinking water, education, and security, with malnutrition and acute diarrhea widespread among children. In August 2020, five children under the age of 5 died from preventable health complications within just four days, which UNICEF described as a tragedy that could have been avoided.

Security threats are equally severe. On June 25, 2025, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nooruddin Baba announced that a cell originating from the Hol Camp carried out an explosion at the Saint Elias Church in the Deweila neighborhood of Damascus, resulting in 25 deaths and dozens of injuries. Investigations revealed that the suicide bomber and another operative, who was arrested before carrying out a second attack, both came from the Hol Camp, arrived via the Syrian Desert, and received support from ISIS leader Muhammad Abdul-Ila al-Jumaili, also known as Abu Imad.

The Dilemma and Game Theory of the International Community

The transfer of the Hol Camp has triggered complex international reactions. The U.S.-led international coalition announced that it will transfer more than 7,000 individuals linked to ISIS to Iraq, seemingly anticipating further advances by Damascus into northeastern Syria. U.S. Central Command confirmed that 150 detainees have already been moved to secure locations across the border.

This transfer has raised human rights concerns. The UK charity Reprieve stated that it believes as many as ten British men may have been transferred, including minor detainees, and urged the British government to intervene urgently. The organization's deputy director, Catherine Cornett, told the BBC: The transferred prisoners face torture, death sentences, and execution without any meaningful opportunity to challenge the accusations against them.

Iraq's stance is equally delicate. Mohammed Sahib Majid Al-Marzuq, Iraq's Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that Iraq accepts detainees to protect regional and international security, but other countries should be prepared to offer assistance. This issue should not become a long-term strategic burden borne by Iraq alone. It is unacceptable that some countries insist that their terrorist nationals pose a threat to their national security and refuse to repatriate them.

The United Nations has also become involved. Edem Wosornu, a senior UN aid official, informed the UN Security Council that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has taken over camp management responsibilities and is working with the Syrian government to restore humanitarian access. However, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned that the situation inside the camp remains tense and volatile, with humanitarian operations still suspended following the violence.

The issue of repatriating foreign nationals is particularly challenging. Many countries refuse to accept their own citizens associated with ISIS. The most notable case is that of Shamima Begum, the ISIS bride born in the UK, who was stripped of her British citizenship in 2019. The European Court of Human Rights has formally requested the UK Home Office to clarify whether human rights and anti-trafficking laws were violated. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to defend the government's decision, while Conservative MP and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated he would demand Mahmood guarantee that Begum would not be allowed to return.

The attitude of the United States has undergone a significant shift. Tom Barak, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, stated that the role of the SDF as the primary anti-ISIS force has largely expired, as Damascus is now both willing and capable of taking over security responsibilities. He added that recent developments indicate the United States is actively facilitating this transition rather than prolonging the independent role of the SDF.

Challenges and Strategies of the Syrian Government

For the Syrian government, taking over the Al-Hol camp is both an opportunity and a challenge. The Syrian Ministry of Interior has established a security perimeter around the camp and stated that it will ensure the safety of those inside, preventing any camp residents from escaping. The government has coordinated with the international coalition on how to manage the camp and has called on international organizations to return and restart essential services.

The Syrian government may accelerate the release of Syrian and Iraqi individuals without substantial evidence. This measure aligns with humanitarian considerations and helps alleviate administrative burdens. However, handling foreign residents in the al-Hol camp will be the most challenging task. Analysts and humanitarian workers indicate that these individuals are the most extreme residents in the camp. Kurdish authorities state that foreign women strive to perpetuate ISIS ideology and raise their children to become a new generation of ISIS fighters.

The Syrian government's takeover is also part of its broader strategy. In late May 2025, the Autonomous Administration announced that it had reached an agreement with the Syrian government to evacuate Syrian citizens from the al-Hol camp, based on a joint mechanism approved during tripartite meetings involving Damascus, the Autonomous Administration, and the International Coalition. This agreement is part of the Syrian government's efforts to regain control over strategic areas and is being carried out under pressure from the United States, which views resolving the issues of camps and prisons as a key condition for lifting sanctions on Syria.

However, the capabilities of the Syrian government are being questioned. The government is led by former jihadists and has been established for just over a year. The words of camp resident Umm Muhammad reflect complex emotions: We welcome the Syrian government, but they should open the gates of the camp. We want to see our families; it has been too long. The security forces around the camp express sympathy for the detainees, not because they are suspected of being associated with ISIS, but because they are being held indefinitely.

Uncertain Future and Global Security Implications

The long-term effects of the handover of Al-Hol Camp remain uncertain. A key issue is the destination of the camp's residents. The Syrian government has stated it will accelerate the release of Syrians and Iraqis without substantial evidence, but the fate of foreign nationals remains unclear. Many countries refuse to accept their own citizens, fearing they pose security threats or could trigger political backlash.

Another concern is the perpetuation of extremism. Al-Hol camp has long been regarded as a breeding ground for extremism. The Kurdish authorities have warned that foreign women inside the camp are spreading ISIS ideology, grooming children to become the next generation of fighters. A Turkmen child stated that his dream is to go to war, which confirms this concern. Despite these risks, the indefinite detention of children itself is seen as a serious human rights violation, potentially fueling rather than containing extremism.

The regional security landscape is also undergoing changes. As the SDF withdraws, the Syrian government has gained control over more territories, including prisons and detention facilities holding ISIS fighters. In early 2026, it was reported that at least 1,500 ISIS detainees escaped from the Shaddadi prison, although the Syrian government later claimed to have recaptured 81 of the escapees. These incidents highlight the fragility of the security transition.

The international community's response measures are also contradictory. The United States transferring detainees to Iraq may alleviate the burden on Syria, but it raises human rights concerns. The United Nations taking over camp management could improve humanitarian conditions, but it cannot address the root cause of the problem. Countries refusing to repatriate their own citizens and shifting responsibility to Iraq and Syria may exacerbate rather than alleviate the crisis.

The handover of al-Hol camp reveals a brutal reality: defeating ISIS's territorial control was relatively easy, but dealing with its lingering aftermath is exceptionally difficult. The camp's residents—especially children—are both victims and potential threats. Indefinite detention violates human rights and may fuel extremism; large-scale releases risk allowing dangerous individuals back into society. Countries refuse to repatriate their own citizens, shifting the burden onto already overwhelmed regional nations.

The story of Al-Hol Camp is far from over. Power has been transferred, but the problems remain. Where will these families linked to ISIS go? Can the Syrian government provide humane treatment while ensuring security? Will the international community finally take responsibility? There are no simple answers to these questions, but the cost of ignoring them may be far greater than imagined. Under the scorching sun of the Syrian desert, the residents of Al-Hol Camp are still waiting—waiting for freedom, waiting for justice, or simply waiting for a clear future. And the world, too, is waiting to see how this crisis will ultimately unfold.