Moves Intensify Toward Dismantling Syria’s al-Hol Camp

Moves Intensify Toward Dismantling Syria’s al-Hol Camp
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Developments surrounding Syria’s al-Hol camp in the northeast are accelerating, with growing indications that efforts to dismantle the facility may soon move forward. Once established as a refuge for displaced people, the camp has evolved into what experts describe as a major security challenge with regional and international implications.

Security analyst Ahmed al-Tamimi said the United States has given the “green light” for dismantling the camp, reflecting a recognition in Washington that its continued existence poses risks to Iraq and the wider region. He pointed to three recent developments: a high-level U.S. delegation’s visit to the camp, increased UN engagement signaling international prioritization, and comprehensive raids to document residents’ identities and nationalities—steps seen as part of a phased closure.

Al-Hol has long served multiple purposes, including containing remnants of ISIS and exerting pressure in the Syrian conflict. But with shifting political dynamics in Damascus and closer U.S. engagement, analysts argue the camp has lost much of its strategic utility. The United States is now pressing countries, particularly Iraq, to repatriate their nationals.

For Baghdad, this poses significant challenges, as thousands of returnees include individuals linked to extremist activity, as well as women and children requiring rehabilitation and reintegration. Observers believe al-Hol could be emptied by mid-2026, though questions remain over how its closure will reshape regional security.