Asayish leader airs concern about instability in Hawl Camp in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Qahraman Murad, a leader in the General Command of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish), expressed on Sunday growing concerns about the instability at Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria, which houses tens of thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) family members.
In a video statement to North Press, Murad highlighted the increasing instability in the camp following recent developments in Syria and raised concerns about the future of the camp.
As the camp, home to approximately 55,000 people, continues to be one of the most dangerous in the world, Murad emphasized the growing risks after recent speeches from the camp administration and announcements regarding voluntary exits.
He also referenced the U.S. decision to withdraw certain organizations from the camp, which has led to a drastic reduction in aid—down by 100 percent.
Murad mentioned concerns in the Iraqi refugee section of the camp, where individuals fear for their safety after leaving the areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), facing the threat of arrest or violence.
Despite these issues, he noted that crime rates within the camp have significantly decreased compared to 2022 and 2023, attributing the reduction to the security campaigns conducted by military forces in cooperation with Asayish.
He also pointed out that, while the camp had seen monthly murders in the past years, the beginning of 2024 has shown a significant drop in such incidents, reflecting the impact of intensified security efforts.