The United Nations (UN) has announced it will take over the management of the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, which has been a focal point for individuals with alleged ties to the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). This change comes in the wake of recent unrest triggered by the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces, which occurred as Syrian government troops advanced, leading to chaos within the camp, including looting and desperate attempts by residents to escape.
During a recent briefing at the UN Security Council, Edem Wosornu, a UN official, confirmed that the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has assumed responsibilities at Al-Hol and is collaborating with Syrian authorities to re-establish humanitarian access. Despite these efforts, conditions within the camp remain tense, and operations from aid agencies are still on hold due to the ongoing violence.
In a parallel initiative, the US Central Command has commenced the transfer of high-risk detainees from northeastern Syria to secure locations in Iraq, with the aim of addressing security concerns. Authorities in Iraq have stated that all transferred individuals will face legal proceedings under Iraqi law. This operation has sparked fears among human rights organizations regarding the potential for abuse against these detainees, many of whom are reported to include British nationals and juveniles.
As political and security dynamics shift in Syria, the situation remains complex and volatile, with calls for the repatriation of foreign IS suspects and their families continuing amid pleas for international support in tackling the humanitarian crisis.
During a recent briefing at the UN Security Council, Edem Wosornu, a UN official, confirmed that the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has assumed responsibilities at Al-Hol and is collaborating with Syrian authorities to re-establish humanitarian access. Despite these efforts, conditions within the camp remain tense, and operations from aid agencies are still on hold due to the ongoing violence.
In a parallel initiative, the US Central Command has commenced the transfer of high-risk detainees from northeastern Syria to secure locations in Iraq, with the aim of addressing security concerns. Authorities in Iraq have stated that all transferred individuals will face legal proceedings under Iraqi law. This operation has sparked fears among human rights organizations regarding the potential for abuse against these detainees, many of whom are reported to include British nationals and juveniles.
As political and security dynamics shift in Syria, the situation remains complex and volatile, with calls for the repatriation of foreign IS suspects and their families continuing amid pleas for international support in tackling the humanitarian crisis.
