Thousands of ISIS Members Escape From Al-Hol Camp in Syria, US Intelligence Reports

The Wall Street Journal has reported that, according to assessments by US intelligence services, between 15,000 and 20,000 people, including ISIS members, have escaped from the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria and have dispersed across various parts of the country.

According to Russia Al-Youm, the American newspaper cited US officials stating that following the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces from the camp and the arrival of forces affiliated with the Jolani regime, the security situation in the area significantly deteriorated, creating conditions that allowed some detainees to flee.

Located in Al-Hasakah province, the Al-Hol camp is one of the largest detention centers for ISIS members and their families. Over recent years, the camp has repeatedly drawn the attention of international organizations due to its fragile security conditions and concerns over the spread of extremism.

Previously, the Financial Times reported that thousands of detainees had managed to escape from Al-Hol and make their way to Iraq and Turkey. According to that report, it remains unclear who facilitated these escapes.

Additionally, Syrian sources had earlier stated that hundreds of family members affiliated with ISIS were able to leave the camp in full view of US military forces—an allegation that has heightened concerns about a security vacuum in the area.