Over the murder occurred three days ago | Seven people, mostly Iraqis, arrested in “Al-Hawl mini-state”

Al-Hasakah Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Reliable sources have informed SOHR that forces in charge of the security campaign in Al-Hawl camp in the far south-eastern region of Al-Hasakah arrested seven people, mostly of Iraqi nationality, in the past few hours over the murder of an Iraqi refugee, which took place in the camp three days ago.

 

On April 17, SOHR sources reported that ISIS cells assassinated an Iraqi refugee in the first section of al-Hawl camp in Al-Hasakah countryside, with a silencer pistol, while two women were injured during the attack. This incident took place despite the large-scale security campaign that resulted in the arrest of dozens of ISIS members, collaborators and leaders in the past few days.

 

While on April 2, the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) issued an official statement, announcing the end of the first phase of the large-scale security campaign which targeted ISIS cells and affiliates whose activities were escalated greatly in “Al-Hawl mini-state”. The statement, of which the Syrian Observatory obtained a copy, read “the Internal Security Forces announce the end of the first phase of the humanitarian and security campaign in Al-Hawl camp, which has been launched with the support of Syria Democratic Forces, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), and which began on March 28, 2021, after exerting great efforts by all sides in order to restore security and stability to the residents of Al-Hawl camp, after ISIS sleeper cells’ escalating operations there.

 

More than 5,000 security members have been assigned in the operation. Our forces paid great attention to respect human rights of the residents including children representing a large part of the camp. Children in the camp face the threat of terrorism that ISIS cells are promoting among civilians.

 

As we mentioned before, we have started this operation for the safety of the camp residents in the camp, which is one of the largest and most dangerous camps in the world, with more than 60 thousand people from 57 different countries, mostly ISIS families. Moreover, many members of the ISIS terrorist organization entered the camp as civilians, trying to create an appropriate atmosphere in order to reorganize in the camp and continue the terror activities all over the world. ISIS affiliates have committed more than 47 murders and executions inside the camp since the beginning of this year.

 

We are here today to announce the end of the first phase of the humanitarian and security campaign, which lasted for five consecutive days, and in a professional manner in dealing with all aspects of the campaign by our forces and the forces supporting us. After regarding all needed measures and procedures, a total of 125 ISIS cell members, 20 of whom are responsible for the murders in the camp, have been arrested. Military and electronic equipment used in manufacturing IEDs has been also seized.

 

We assert on the fact that although we captured many sleeper cell members, the danger is not over in Al-Hawl Camp.  As long as the international community does not deem Al-Hawl Camp as an international serious dilemma and find a suitable solution to repatriate foreign nationals to their country, the danger will prevail.

 

The success of our operation has created an atmosphere of stability and peace in Al-Hawl Camp. However, this stability would be temporary without international support. It is time to use this opportunity together and reach a permanent solution together. The ideology of terrorism and atonement is still alive and it targets children in particular, which poses a threat to the whole world in medium and long terms.

 

As the Internal Security Forces Command, we find it valuable that our forces, SDF, YPG and YPJ forces continue their efforts in a professional manner.”