Al Hol has been emptied : Shared by John Gilmartin

Al Hoi is emptied. Here’s ISW update. They all just ran out.
Not a word about this on tonight’s news.
John Gilmartin

Update, February 16, 2026 

Institute for the Study of War Institute for the Study of War, 

February 16, 2026 Click here for the article

The Syrian government is transferring all residents from al Hol internally displaced persons camp in Hasakah Province to Aleppo Province and Iraq and will close the camp in the coming days. The camp's early closure follows the reported escape of over 10,000 residents since the Syrian Democratic Forces withdrew on January 20, with extreme mismanagement of the handover creating conditions for mass escapes during the six-hour gap before Syrian army arrival. Syrian government forces were unable to maintain security due to insufficient training, personnel, and discipline, and some government-affiliated fighters may have facilitated escapes of ISIS-affiliated residents due to sympathy.

ISIS and other Salafi-jihadi groups will likely capitalize on al Hol's closure to increase recruitment efforts among the thousands of escapees, many of whom have ties to ISIS and may be unable to successfully reintegrate into Syrian society without government support. US Central Command has completed its withdrawal from al Shaddadi base in northeastern Syria, with the Syrian Ministry of Defense assuming control on February 15, indicating the United States has shifted its counter-ISIS partner from the SDF to the Syrian government.

Some Iranian officials and media have suggested the United States has softened its position on uranium enrichment ahead of a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva on February 17, though US officials have not indicated any shift. The Iranian regime has sentenced hundreds of protesters to death and killed thousands of detained protesters, according to human rights organizations and Iranian sources.

Quote: "ISIS and other Salafi-jihadi groups will likely capitalize on al Hol's closure to increase recruitment efforts among escapees and residents who may be released in the future."