Experts warn Hawl Camp “global threat” ahead of conference in New York
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria remains a severe and growing security threat, experts on terrorism and extremist movements warned on Monday, stressing the urgent need for dismantling the camp and repatriating its residents to their countries of origin.
Munir Adib, a researcher on extremist movements and international terrorism, told North Press that Hawl Camp is “a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.” He noted that the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) have come under repeated attack but continue to thwart numerous escape attempts.
Adib explained that surveillance footage shows women “nurturing their children on the same ideas their fathers died for,” warning that many of the so-called “ISIS children” are no longer minors. “They can no longer be called children; they may well be sleeper cells ready to activate at any time,” he said.
He underscored that dismantling the camp is now an urgent necessity. “The international community must repatriate ISIS families to their countries of origin and assume responsibility for this file, particularly since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are fighting this battle on behalf of the world,” he added.
Adib expressed skepticism about the upcoming international conference on Hawl Camp, scheduled for Sept. 26 in New York. “I do not expect practical outcomes on the ground. There may be recommendations, but the most important one should be dismantling Hawl Camp and returning families to their countries of origin,” he said.
The warning comes days after the Asayish announced the arrest of 11 ISIS suspects at the conclusion of a security campaign inside the camp on Sept. 6.
Albert Farhat, another terrorism expert, described Hawl as “one of the most dangerous camps in the world,” housing tens of thousands of women and children linked to ISIS, in addition to active cells engaged in violence and incitement.
“The camp represents a regional threat as it harbors thousands of ISIS families, while serving as a hub for planning and spreading violence that undermines regional stability,” Farhat told North Press.
He stressed that the only sustainable solution lies in repatriation. Adults, he argued, should face legal accountability or rehabilitation programs where necessary, while children must be socially and educationally reintegrated into their communities.
Farhat emphasized the need to continue security operations and intelligence work to contain ISIS influence within the camp. He also predicted that the New York conference could produce a UN roadmap for the camp’s closure or gradual dismantling in a “safe and humane way,” including the repatriation of foreign nationals or the creation of alternative detention frameworks.
“It is expected that international cooperation will be strengthened to support Iraq and Syria in addressing this issue, alleviate the burden on the Autonomous Administration and the SDF, and push concerned countries to take responsibility for their citizens,” Farhat said.
New York will host the international conference on Hawl at Iraq’s request, with the aim of coordinating efforts to repatriate, prosecute, rehabilitate, and reintegrate individuals from ISIS camps into their communities.