Northeast Syria camp closures leave thousands stranded – HRW
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The closure of displacement camps in northeast Syria, particularly Hawl and Roj, has left thousands in precarious conditions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced on Monday.
In a report, the HRW said that the sudden shutdown of the camps has intensified humanitarian dangers for women and children, many of whom have never faced charges of wrongdoing.
The Syrian transitional government transferred control of Hawl Camp to its forces on Jan. 20, 2026, following the withdrawal of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Shortly after the handover, a significant portion of the camp’s population — once numbering around 28,000 people — left in what the HRW described as “largely unplanned and chaotic” departures.
According to the report, about 12,500 foreigners from over 60 countries and thousands of Syrians were held in these facilities for years. The Roj Camp, still under SDF control, also faces imminent closure.
The rights group foreign governments to repatriate their citizens, arguing that longstanding reluctance cannot stand now that state authorities, not armed non-state actors, control the camps.
“For years, many governments claimed that difficulties negotiating with a non-state actor in charge of the camps was why they couldn’t repatriate their citizens, but now that excuse won’t hold,” said Adam Coogle, HRW Deputy Middle East Director.
“Seven years is a long time to kick the can down the road,” he added. “These countries need to bring their citizens home.”
The organization stressed the need for authorities to prioritize identification, protection, healthcare, psychosocial support and due process for those who left the camps.