Tents for Torture, Secret Detention Uncovered in Syria’s al-Hol Camp

Part of the security campaign that as launched on August 25 inside al-Hol camp. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the security campaign that as launched on August 25 inside al-Hol camp. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Tents for Torture, Secret Detention Uncovered in Syria’s al-Hol Camp

Part of the security campaign that as launched on August 25 inside al-Hol camp. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the security campaign that as launched on August 25 inside al-Hol camp. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and the special female units of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have found a tent used by ISIS-linked elements for torture and detention inside al-Hol refugee camp, east of al-Hasakah governorate.

Security forces liberated four women who were chained up to a concrete wall.

This came as part of the second phase of the Operation Humanity and Security, which was launched by Asayish in the overcrowded refugee camp on August 25, in light of the increase in acts of murder and violence.

A video published by the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) Information and Documentation office showed the raid on a tent and how chained up women were liberated by female security forces.

“YPJ forces liberated four women in total in Sunday’s ongoing operation in al-Hol camp,” the YPJ said.

Two of these women said they came from Iraq and showed signs of torture.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, head of the SDF Media Center Farhad Shami said that in coordination with Asayish and the international coalition forces, the SDF launched an investigation to find those involved in torturing and chaining up the displaced women in the camp.

Shami said 23 suspects have been arrested so far, including six women, who operate in ISIS-affiliated cells.

He revealed that seven secret trenches were found under the tents, while the security forces demolished eight sites that were used by ISIS as training centers and courts for imposing executions and torture sentences.

The forces also confiscated quantities of hand grenades, Kalashnikov warehouses, military bags, SIM and memory cards and computers buried underground.

The camp, located 45 km east of al-Hasakah city in northeastern Syria, is considered one of the largest refugee camps in Syria. It houses about 56,000 people, most of whom are displaced Syrians and Iraqi refugees.

It also includes a special section for ISIS families, housing 10,000 people from 54 Western and Arab countries.

According to the figures published by Asayish on its official website, more than 100 suspects have been arrested since August 25, and about 110 tents that were used as training centers and courts for imposing executions and torture sentences were demolished.



Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes.