06/12/20 Syria (International Christian Concern) – On Wednesday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced that local security forces began a registration campaign within al-Hol camp. This displacement camp is home to thousands of ISIS-affiliated individuals, including at least 10,000 foreign nationals. The purpose of the registration campaign is to improve camp conditions and coordinate the return of detainees’ to their home countries.

Many of al-Hol’s residents are women and children, some of whom were enslaved by ISIS during the genocide but most of which are family members of ISIS fighters. The camp remains highly dangerous to enter because this extremist ideology continues throughout camp members. Many of the individuals refuse to be identified. But the goal of AANES is to register them so that foreign countries can recognize and repatriate their citizens.

Many foreign countries have been painfully slow in this process, thus increasing the risk of a growing ISIS movement inside the camp. Furthermore, the overpopulation of al-Hol and broader unstable country environment could force the release of those ISIS supporters, which causes significant security concerns. These individuals have continued in their support for genocide of religious minorities, and a release could have fatal consequences for the surrounding communities.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].