Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus, as holder of the EU Council presidency, has warned EU member states that terrorist groups could exploit a mass escape from a Syrian detention camp to increase recruitment, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The warning focused on al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, where most detainees were reported to have escaped.
Memo to EU member states
The memo, sent on 23 February and reviewed by Reuters, was addressed to EU member states and said the status of third-country nationals who fled al-Hol remained unclear. It stated that the situation raised concerns about terrorist groups seeking to capitalise on events to increase recruitment among escapees.
Al-Hol population and background
Al-Hol, near the Iraqi border, was one of the main camps holding relatives of suspected Islamic State fighters detained during the US-backed campaign against the group in Syria. Its population stood at 23,407 the day before a government takeover in January, including 6,280 foreigners from more than 40 nationalities, according to official camp data cited by Reuters.
Change of control and security collapse
Control of the camp changed hands in January when Syrian government forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa drove out the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which had guarded the facility for years. The memo described the handover as a “chaotic takeover” that “led to the collapse of security and services in the al-Hol camp, triggering the escape of a significant portion of its population.”
The memo added that the UN refugee agency in Syria and the Syrian government confirmed that “an uncontrolled exodus has occurred over the past few weeks.”
Assessment of Damascus capacity and phase-out plan
The memo assessed Damascus’s capacity to manage detention facilities as “limited and facing significant operational challenges.” It said the government’s plan to gradually phase out al-Hol had “been overtaken by recent events, which raise grave security concerns.”
Concerns over al-Hol and Roj camps
Al-Hol and the nearby Roj camp together hold around 25,000 people, primarily women and children, the memo said. It described many detainees as “highly radicalised and living in degrading humanitarian and security conditions.”
Roj remains under SDF control for now, but the memo said there was “reason for concern regarding the possible escape of families” from Roj once the Syrian government takes over.
Transfer of male IS fighters
On the transfer of male IS fighters, the US military said on 13 February it had completed a mission moving 5,700 adult male Islamic State fighters from Syrian jails to Iraq, after originally saying up to 7,000 could eventually be transferred. The memo noted that the initial target was not met.
Dispute over withdrawal and pursuit unit
Damascus has accused the SDF of withdrawing from al-Hol on 20 January without coordination. The SDF said its forces had been “compelled” to withdraw to areas it said were under threat.
A Syrian government security source told Reuters that authorities, working with international partners, had established a unit to pursue those who are wanted.
What steps should EU member states take to address the security risks linked to the escapes from al-Hol?
