Islamic State Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria’s Leaders, But Also for UNICEF and Advocates of Human Rights : Shared by Tom McDermott

Since the defeat of ISIS in northern Syria and Iraq in March 2019, thousands of captured fighters have been held under guard by Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, with camps sustained largely by US funding. Prisons in northeast Syria still hold over 8,000 ISIS prisoners of war. No legal process has been established to adjudicate these cases, allowing release of the innocent or punishment of the guilty.

Confined in separate facilities at Al Hol and Roj are far larger numbers of their dependents—more than 27,000 family members, primarily women and children. Nearly 60 percent are children under 18, many of whom have never known life beyond barbed wire. For six years, prisoners—both former fighters and their families—have languished in miserable purgatory, trapped in a geographic and moral no-man's-land.

While small numbers have been repatriated, the vast majority remain. Iraqis and Syrians comprise most detainees, but approximately 6,000 foreign nationals from 60 countries—including France, Russia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan—are stranded as their governments refuse repatriation on security grounds.

Until now, Al Hol and Roj have posed a quiet, easily ignored dilemma for child rights advocates and governments whose nationals remain detained. According to camp administrators, many of the women, children, and young adults have been radicalized by ISIS operatives who remain active inside the camps. What do child rights mean in such circumstances? How can children who took no part in fighting, but radicalized by mistreatment and life in prison camps be returned to normal societies? 

The dilemma has now become urgent. Syria's new Islamist-led government is preparing to assume control of the camps, raising doubts whether Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces will accept working under Damascus and whether the US will continue funding operations. Violence, escapes, and protests are increasing as conditions deteriorate.

Governments face critical questions: Where and how can ISIS dependents be reintegrated into normal society? Children and radicalized young adults pose particular risks. 

UN agencies and NGOs confront equally urgent challenges: How should child rights advocates approach repatriation in each receiving country? What role should UNICEF play in protecting children's rights while addressing legitimate security concerns?

The international community can no longer defer these difficult decisions.

Islamic State Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria's Leaders https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/world/middleeast/islami

Islamic State Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria's Leaders

Author: Alissa J. Rubin

Publication: The New York Times

Date: December 10, 2025

Click here for the article

Summary:

Syria's new government faces a complex dilemma regarding civil-war-era detention facilities holding ISIS fighters and their families in northeastern Syria. Al Hol and Roj camps currently house more than 27,000 family members of ISIS fighters, primarily women and children, while nearby prisons hold over 8,000 fighters. 

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been guarding these facilities with U.S. backing, but the Pentagon is drawing down troops and seeking to transfer responsibility to Syria's new Islamist-led government. 

Many Kurds distrust the government's commitment to fighting ISIS and fear potential prisoner releases. 

The Islamic State has expanded its attacks in the past year, including targeting a Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus. Camp administrators report ISIS operatives remain active inside the camps, radicalizing children, with nearly 60 percent of camp residents under 18. 

Conditions are dire following Trump administration cuts to USAID funding for water, bread, medical care, and education. Violence, escapes, and protests have increased. Iraq and Syria have committed to repatriating their citizens, who comprise most detainees, but progress has been slow. 

About 6,000 foreign nationals from countries including France, Russia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan remain in the most dangerous section of Al Hol, with their home countries refusing repatriation due to security concerns.

Quotes:

"We want to go home. We are so tired." - Um al-Bara, Iraqi detainee from Hit

"All of the women here are radical. They all stayed with the Islamic State until the end. But the bigger problem is that the mothers are educating their kids according to the Islamic State ideology." - Hokmiya Ibrahim, Roj camp administrator

"Every day, people are fleeing, and it seems it is an organized operation. They are building hiding places in the water tanks." - Jihan Hanan, Al Hol camp administrator

"Because my daughter is gone, I don't qualify as a mother." - Evelyne De Herdt, 35-year-old Belgian detainee whose daughter was killed in 2019