Syria’s Hawl camp witnesses calm after security alert
Qamishli, Syria (North Press) – The Hawl Camp east of Hasakah, northeast Syria, witnessed a state of calm following clashes between the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) and the Islamic State Organization (ISIS) sleeper cells inside the camp, a security source told North Press, on Tuesday.
Late yesterday, a security source told North Press that the Hawl Camp had witnessed a security alert following a rebellion by ISIS sleeper cells inside the camp.
The fourth and fifth sectors of the camp have witnessed a crossfire between the Asayish and ISIS sleeper cells who used small arms in their attack.
In early March, a high-ranking security source told North Press that they had received intelligence information that ISIS was preparing to take full control of the Hawl Camp.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) worker told North Press, on Tuesday, that all NGOs suspended their activities within the camp as a result of the security situation in the overcrowded camp.
The worker raised concern over a possible deterioration of the security situation in the refugee camp which holds people who fled ISIS as well as individuals and families connected to ISIS (members and supporters).
The Hawl Camp is a house for about 15,650 families in total of 57,516 individuals including 2,423 families of the Islamic State Organization (ISIS) detained or killed militants, who hail from over than 60 countries.
On February 9, the camp witnessed shooting incidents, raising smoke column, and riot by wives of ISIS members setting six tents on fire.