Syrian Army Regains Control of ISIL-Tied Camp with Thousands Held Captive

US-Led Coalition and Syrian Government Reach Ceasefire Agreement

A ceasefire between the Syrian government and the US-led international coalition has been in place for four days, with no major incidents reported. The agreement was announced on Monday and appears to be holding.

As part of the agreement, Syrian government forces have entered the Al-Hol camp, a facility housing approximately 24,000 people linked to ISIL (ISIS). The camp, located in the Hasakeh province, had been controlled by Kurdish forces for years. Armored vehicles carrying troops moved into the camp on Wednesday.

The transfer of control comes after two weeks of fighting between the army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which was brought to an end by Tuesday’s truce. The SDF, a key player in defeating ISIL, has lost significant territory in north and east Syria during the ongoing conflict.

The government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa wants the Kurdish fighters to integrate into the Syrian state. The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, stated that the SDF’s role as the primary anti-ISIL force had “largely expired” and that the government is willing and positioned to take over security responsibilities.

SDF chief Mazloum Abdi urged the US-led coalition to “bear its responsibilities in protecting facilities” holding ISIL members. The camp, established by Kurdish forces with coalition backing, houses approximately 14,500 Syrians and nearly 3,000 Iraqis, as well as around 6,500 others who are loyal ISIL supporters.

The SDF remains in control of over a dozen prisons housing approximately 9,000 ISIL detainees, according to the Associated Press. The largest facility, Gweiran Prison, is still under full control of the SDF.

Source: Al Jazeera