Internal Security Forces Conclude Major Security Operation in al-Hol Camp: A Comprehensive Review of Security Campaigns and Humanitarian Challenges in North and East Syria

By Ward Jounaidi

05/04/2025 | AL-HOL CAMP, North and East Syria

On the April 23 2025 the General Command of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in North and East Syria has announced the successful conclusion of a six-day, wide-scale security operation in al-Hol Camp. This extensive campaign, carried out in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and supported by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and other local security units, targeted ISIS sleeper cells, disrupted planned mass escape attempts, and sought to curtail the persistent threat posed by extremist operatives in one of the region’s most volatile environments.

The Current Security Operation

Over those six days, highly coordinated sweeps, targeted raids, and special operations conducted on and beyond the perimeter of al-Hol Camp led to significant security gains. The operation resulted in the arrest of 20 ISIS-affiliated individuals, including several high-profile operatives and collaborators. Authorities confiscated three AK-47 rifles, a pistol, multiple ammunition magazines, and assorted military equipment. Notably, the security forces successfully thwarted a coordinated mass escape attempt, reported to have involved an ISIS cell embedded within the camp and external facilitators. Every participant in the planned breakout was detained, disrupting what could have been a major regrouping effort by extremist forces.

Al-Hol Camp, located in the Hasakah Governorate, currently houses around 55,000 residents—including internally displaced persons, refugees, and thousands of individuals linked to former ISIS fighters. Known as a “ticking time bomb” by regional analysts, the camp’s severe overcrowding, inadequate resources, and persistent ideological indoctrination have long made it a fertile ground for the re-emergence of ISIS activity.

The General Command’s recent press statement emphasized that while the operation struck a significant blow to ISIS’s reorganization plans, long-term regional security hinges on sustained international intervention and support. In particular, the statement underscored the imperative for the international community to meet its legal and humanitarian obligations—especially when it comes to repatriating foreign nationals from the camp—and to bolster the efforts of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) through additional resources and coordinated strategies.

A History of Security Campaigns in al-Hol Camp

Al-Hol Camp’s security challenges are not new. In fact, since the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019, security forces in northern and eastern Syria have waged a series of focused operations within the camp, aiming to dismantle sleeper cells and arrest operatives responsible for ongoing recruitment and extremist indoctrination.

The 2021 “Humanitarian and Security Operation”

In March 2021, a landmark campaign known as the "Humanitarian and Security Operation" was launched in Al-Hol. Over the course of six days, this initial undertaking led to the arrest of approximately 125 ISIS operatives—20 of whom were high-ranking leaders. Security agents uncovered explosive devices, communication equipment, and an array of materials that were being used to coordinate remote terrorist activities. This operation marked a turning point in addressing ISIS’s enduring foothold in the camp, highlighting the need for sustained security efforts in a location long viewed as a breeding ground for extremist resurgence.

The Reconstitution Challenge in 2022

By August 2022, reports emerged that ISIS had begun reconstituting its networks within al-Hol Camp. During this period, extremist women attempted to revive the Hisbah—the Islamic religious police—as a means of enforcing radical Islamic norms within the camp. Security forces promptly moved to dismantle these recruitment and indoctrination programs, arresting key militants and disrupting a carefully orchestrated ideological campaign. This operation was critical in not only curtailing extremist influence but also in preventing the further radicalization of children caught in the camp’s precarious educational and social environments.

Comprehensive Sweeps and Raids in 2023

Throughout 2023, a series of increasingly aggressive operations were undertaken. In the spring, sector-wide sweeps targeted renewed ISIS-affiliated networks, leading to the exposure of hidden weapon caches and the arrest of several high-ranking operatives. By the summer, intelligence-led raids dismantled clandestine Sharia courts and thwarted concerted efforts to reestablish the Hisbah. These actions disrupted localized systems of extremist justice and curtailed targeted killings—a disturbing trend that had further destabilized the community within al-Hol.

Renewed Challenges in 2024

The year 2024 posed renewed challenges in al-Hol Camp. A large-scale operation in early 2024 resulted in the arrest of over 30 ISIS operatives and collaborators. Evidence pointed to a disturbing level of external coordination among ISIS cells attempting to exploit the camp’s vulnerabilities. Later that year, security forces intercepted a major plot to orchestrate a mass escape from al-Hol. This incident, culminating in the detention of all involved individuals, underscored the resilient and adaptive nature of ISIS’s organizational strategies, even in the aftermath of their territorial defeat.

The cumulative effect of these successive operations has been to disrupt ISIS’s organizational structure in al-Hol Camp repeatedly. Yet, the camp remains a notorious hotspot for extremist resurgence due to its chronic conditions of overcrowding, poor resource allocation, and the vast numbers of individuals susceptible to radicalization.

The Humanitarian Crisis and Its Security Implications

Founded in 1991 initially as a refugee camp to house those displaced by the Gulf War, al-Hol was later repurposed to accommodate individuals fleeing subsequent conflicts in Iraq and Syria. With the collapse of ISIS’s territorial holdings in 2019, the camp evolved into a holding ground for families of ISIS fighters—including women and children who have been subjected to severe ideological indoctrination.

Over recent years, al-Hol’s humanitarian crisis has deepened. The suspension of USAID funding has only exacerbated the dire conditions within the camp. Essential services such as food distribution, water supply, and medical aid have diminished, creating an environment where hope is scarce and radicalization can flourish unchecked. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that these deteriorating conditions contribute significantly to the security risks in the region. Without immediate restoration of funding and sustained international support, the camp’s role as a potential incubator for extremist ideologies could reverse, undermining years of hard-won security gains.

The call for further assistance is echoed not only in security circles but also among humanitarian groups and local administrative authorities. There is an urgent need for comprehensive intervention that addresses both the immediate security challenges and the root causes fueling extremism within al-Hol Camp.

The Role of International Support and Multilateral Cooperation

The recent security operation, while successful on many fronts, serves as a stark reminder that military efforts alone cannot secure long-term stability in such a complex environment. Analysts and local authorities alike stress that sustained international backing is crucial. There have been persistent calls for the re-establishment of USAID funding to improve humanitarian conditions, which in turn would help reduce the appeal of extremist narratives by providing residents with basic necessities and opportunities for reintegration into society.

Moreover, increased support for the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) is essential. This regional authority, which plays a critical role in local governance and the management of camps like al-Hol, requires both financial and technical assistance to implement comprehensive security and humanitarian strategies effectively. International cooperation—with contributions from European partners, the United States, and regional organizations—remains a cornerstone in the broader strategy to counter ISIS sleeper cells and prevent the resurgence of extremist activities.

The Path Forward: Balancing Security, Humanitarian Needs, and Long-Term Stability

The operation concluded on 23 April 2025 stands as a notable achievement in the continued fight against ISIS in North and East Syria. However, its success must be measured against the long-term challenge of stabilizing a camp that has long been labeled a “ticking time bomb.” Key lessons from previous campaigns indicate that:

- Sustained Military Pressure Is Essential: Repeated operations have disrupted ISIS networks, but the adaptability of sleeper cells means that vigilance must be both constant and comprehensive.

- Addressing Humanitarian Shortfalls Is Critical: Security gains can be quickly eroded if humanitarian needs remain unmet. Restoring essential services, particularly through reinstated USAID funding, should be prioritized to reduce the attractiveness of extremist ideologies.

- Multilateral and Regional Cooperation Must Intensify: The challenges at al-Hol Camp are emblematic of wider regional instability. Effective management requires coordinated strategies that include robust international support, integrated local governance, and strict accountability measures to set a precedent for post-conflict recovery.

- Long-Term Solutions Demand a Dual Focus: Any sustainable strategy must work on two fronts simultaneously—continuing to neutralize superficial threats through security operations while also addressing the ideological and socio-economic drivers that enable extremism to thrive.

As security forces, including the ISF, SDF, and YPJ, continue to confront the ever-present threat of ISIS reorganization, their efforts must be matched by comprehensive humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives. The future stability of North and East Syria hinges on transforming al-Hol Camp from a bastion of extremism into a community where basic rights and services are restored, and extremist rhetoric is effectively countered through education, economic opportunity, and civic engagement.

The recent operation in al-Hol Camp may have marked a temporary breach in ISIS’s resurgence, but it also highlights the persistent vulnerabilities that continue to threaten regional stability. With numerous campaigns dating back to 2021 demonstrating both the effectiveness and limitations of military responses in this context, it is clear that a multifaceted approach is essential.

Only through a balanced strategy—one that combines robust security measures with the urgent restoration of humanitarian support and sustained international engagement—can Syria hope to move beyond the lingering shadows of extremism. As the international community debates the next steps, the plight of al-Hol Camp stands as a powerful reminder that resolving such deeply entrenched challenges will require not just tactical victories, but a sincere commitment to long-term, inclusive stabilization.