Withdrawal of Kurdish Forces from Al-Hol Camp Amid Syrian Clashes

Wed Jan 21 2026 14:25:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Syrian Democratic Forces have withdrawn from Al-Hol camp as violence persist in the region, raising concerns over the fate of thousands linked to Islamic State.

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have withdrawn from Al-Hol camp, which houses around 20,000 individuals with alleged ties to ISIS, citing international indifference toward the issue. This development comes amid ongoing clashes with Syrian government forces, leading to concerns about security and coordination in handling detainees linked to the jihadist organization. The move follows the escape of detainees from a nearby prison during fighting, signaling a critical juncture in the control of the Kurdish autonomous region.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has announced its withdrawal from the Al-Hol camp, where thousands of people with ties to the Islamic State (IS) are held, as violence continues to erupt in northern Syria. The SDF stated that it was 'compelled to withdraw' due to a lack of international support regarding IS issues.

The Syrian interior ministry condemned the SDF's move, noting that it was executed without coordination with either the Syrian government or the US-led coalition against IS. The situation escalated following the escape of suspected IS militants from the Shaddadi prison during clashes reported between SDF and government troops.

According to the Syrian interior ministry, 120 detainees managed to flee Shaddadi, but authorities quickly managed to recapture 81 of them. The SDF, however, highlighted that government forces had enabled the escape of around 1,500 detainees after gaining control of the prison.

Additionally, the SDF reported that the Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa has been subjected to shelling and has lost its water supply. To underscore the tenuous situation, the militia alliance has agreed to cede control of various regions within Kurdish autonomous territory to the Syrian government, marking a significant change in the dynamics of the area.

This agreement, paired with recent violence, represents a major setback for the SDF, which had grown reluctant to relinquish the autonomy that came with its support in defeating IS during the years of Syria's civil conflict. As Syria grapples with internal division and violence, President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government aims to reunify the nation, but achieving this remains fraught with challenges.