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Humanitarian Organizations: Most Families of Foreign Militants Left Al-Hol Camp in Syria

A general view of Al-Hol camp located in a desert region of Hasakeh province in Syria. Reuters file photo
A general view of Al-Hol camp located in a desert region of Hasakeh province in Syria. Reuters file photo
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Humanitarian Organizations: Most Families of Foreign Militants Left Al-Hol Camp in Syria

A general view of Al-Hol camp located in a desert region of Hasakeh province in Syria. Reuters file photo
A general view of Al-Hol camp located in a desert region of Hasakeh province in Syria. Reuters file photo

Most foreign families have left northeast Syria's Al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of ISIS militants, since the departure of Kurdish forces who previously guarded it, humanitarian sources told AFP on Thursday.

The defense ministry meanwhile announced that the army had taken control of the Al-Tanf base after the withdrawal of US forces deployed there as part of the coalition against the ISIS, as Damascus seeks to extend its control over all of Syria.

Al-Hol, located in a desert region of Hasakeh province, is Syria's largest camp housing the relatives of suspected ISIS militants.

Last month, the government took over the camp from the Kurdish administration which had long handled it, as the Kurds ceded territory and Damascus extended its control across swathes of Syria's northeast.

A source from a humanitarian organization, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that "since last Saturday... there are no more than 20 families in the foreigners' annex".

The Kurdish-led SDF said on January 20 that they had been forced to withdraw from Al-Hol, while the army, which entered the camp the following day, accused them of abandoning the site.

Women and children, including many from Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, have lived in the high-security section of the camp, separate from Syrians and Iraqis.

A second source from another humanitarian organization, also requesting anonymity, said the foreigners' annex was basically empty, with some women having moved to the main camp.

An eyewitness told AFP they saw armed men, some appearing to be foreigners, taking fully veiled women from the camp in vehicles after government forces took control.

A humanitarian organization working in Al-Hol told AFP "the population in the camp has significantly reduced".

"We have been unable to meaningfully resume our programming due to people leaving the camp, the fact that our centers were damaged and looted, and the safety and security situation is still unstable," it said.

A source from the camp administration, which now falls under Syria's foreign ministry, told AFP that authorities were carrying out a camp census, without confirming whether anyone had left.

If any escaped, it was blamed on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), "which withdrew from the site" without properly handing it over, the source added, requesting anonymity.

Prior to the changeover, the camp held some 24,000 people, mostly women and children, including some 15,000 Syrians, several thousand Iraqis and more than 6,000 other foreigners from around 40 nationalities.

An aid worker in Syria told AFP on condition of anonymity that "it's clear that many people including foreigners have left the camp, but there are no official figures yet as the verification process" is ongoing.

Images shared with AFP showed largely empty streets in the camp's usually busy market area.

The first humanitarian source said "a large number of them (foreigners) were smuggled out to Idlib and to other provinces", while a small number joined the main camp.

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Arab World

UN Voices Concern Over Criticism of Expert on Palestinian Rights 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese listens to a journalist during an interview ahead of the conference on "A Cartography of Genocide: Israel's Conduct in Gaza since October 2023", an investigative project on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Roma Tre University, in Rome, Italy, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese listens to a journalist during an interview ahead of the conference on "A Cartography of Genocide: Israel's Conduct in Gaza since October 2023", an investigative project on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Roma Tre University, in Rome, Italy, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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UN Voices Concern Over Criticism of Expert on Palestinian Rights 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese listens to a journalist during an interview ahead of the conference on "A Cartography of Genocide: Israel's Conduct in Gaza since October 2023", an investigative project on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Roma Tre University, in Rome, Italy, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese listens to a journalist during an interview ahead of the conference on "A Cartography of Genocide: Israel's Conduct in Gaza since October 2023", an investigative project on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Roma Tre University, in Rome, Italy, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)

A UN human rights spokesperson said on Friday she was very worried about attacks on independent UN experts after European governments criticized the organization's special rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese.

This follows condemnation from Germany and other states this week of Albanese's alleged criticism of Israel. She denies making the remarks.

"We ‌are very ‌worried. We are concerned that ‌UN ⁠officials, independent experts and ⁠judicial officials, are increasingly subjected to personal attacks, threats and misinformation that distracts from the serious human rights issues," said UN human rights office spokesperson Marta Hurtado at a Geneva press briefing when asked ⁠about the statements by European governments.

Germany's ‌Foreign Minister Johann ‌Wadephul said on Thursday that Albanese was "untenable in ‌her position".

On Friday, the Czech Republic's ‌quoted her on X as having called Israel a "common enemy of humanity" and called for her resignation.

A transcript of her remarks made ‌in Doha on February 7 seen by Reuters did not characterize ⁠Israel ⁠in this way, although she has consistently criticized the country in the past over the Gaza conflict.

The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Albanese, an Italian lawyer, after she wrote letters to US companies alleging they contributed to gross human rights violations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.

Arab World

Lebanese Army Support Hinges on Disarmament Plan North of Litani

Two Lebanese army soldiers at a military border post with Israel in the village of Alma El Chaab in southern Lebanon (Archive - AP)
Two Lebanese army soldiers at a military border post with Israel in the village of Alma El Chaab in southern Lebanon (Archive - AP)
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Lebanese Army Support Hinges on Disarmament Plan North of Litani

Two Lebanese army soldiers at a military border post with Israel in the village of Alma El Chaab in southern Lebanon (Archive - AP)
Two Lebanese army soldiers at a military border post with Israel in the village of Alma El Chaab in southern Lebanon (Archive - AP)

The Qatari capital is set to host a preparatory meeting on Sunday ahead of an international conference in Paris aimed at supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces.

The Doha meeting will bring together the five sponsoring countries - France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt - along with other states and international and regional organizations.

Its purpose is to understand LAF’s needs, while developing financial and military support mechanisms to ensure the success of the main conference, scheduled for March 5 in Paris. French officials expect around 50 countries and 10 organizations to take part.

Given the central role of the LAF, its responsibilities and its contribution to upholding Lebanese sovereignty, both the Doha meeting and the Paris conference are expected to provide it with substantial political backing.

According to French sources, the one-day conference will be co-hoted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Expectations from the Doha Meeting

Paris is playing a key role in organizing both meetings. Preparations were among the main issues discussed during the two-day visit to Beirut last weekend of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

His visit coincided with the Lebanese army leadership’s preparations for the second phase of an operation to disarm Hezbollah. This phase covers the area stretching from the Litani River to the Awali River, north of the southern port city of Sidon.

Paris identifies two main challenges. The first is the need to continue the disarmament process launched by the army in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The second is enabling conference participants to accurately assess the army’s needs, allowing international partners to coordinate their support through a dedicated mechanism.

France has deliberately avoided setting a specific figure for the assistance expected to be announced at the conference, stressing that support will be multi-dimensional and not limited to financial aid.

It will also include military capabilities, logistical support and training. Paris estimates the LAF’s annual needs at more than $1 billion, but notes that these cannot be met through foreign assistance alone and that part must be covered by the Lebanese state budget.

Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal reported receiving assurances during talks in Washington that the United States remains committed to supporting the LAF.

Paris and the other four sponsors are counting on the Doha meeting to allow the army command to present a detailed assessment of its needs.

Borders, Syria and the Economy

Paris has also expressed satisfaction with the results of Barrot’s talks in Beirut regarding Lebanon’s relations with its neighbors, particularly Syria. French officials believe that an agreement to transfer Syrian prisoners held in Lebanon back to Syria could have a positive impact on the demarcation of the land border between the two countries.

France has offered its assistance, saying it holds mandate-era maps.

The prisoner transfer deal could also impact the return of Syrian refugees, an issue of strategic importance for Lebanon.

At the same time, Paris is fully aware of the challenges Lebanon faces with Israel, whether due to near-daily military operations or Israel’s refusal to withdraw from five positions it occupies inside Lebanese territory.

France nevertheless welcomes the indirect talks held within the framework of the ceasefire mechanism committee and supports maintaining it, even though its impact on the ground has so far been limited.

Barrot's talks also focused on financial and economic issues, notably the so-called financial gap law approved by the cabinet and sent to parliament for discussion.

France has called for its approval before the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, arguing that such a step would send a positive signal about the seriousness of Lebanese authorities in addressing the country’s economic crisis.

Paris believes parliamentary approval would have a direct impact on prospects for a conference to support the Lebanese economy, which France has reaffirmed its readiness to host.

Arab World

Grundberg Warns Against Reversal of Gains in Yemen, Broader Conflict 

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg addresses the Security Council. (Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen/ Abdel Rahman Alzorgan)
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg addresses the Security Council. (Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen/ Abdel Rahman Alzorgan)
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Grundberg Warns Against Reversal of Gains in Yemen, Broader Conflict 

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg addresses the Security Council. (Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen/ Abdel Rahman Alzorgan)
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg addresses the Security Council. (Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen/ Abdel Rahman Alzorgan)

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg noted on Thursday a relative improvement in conditions in areas held by the legitimate government, warning, however, that “without a wider negotiated political settlement to the conflict, gains will continue to remain vulnerable to reversal.”

In a briefing before the UN Security Council, he said 73 UN colleagues are being held in Houthi jails. “Many have been held incommunicado, with serious concerns about their conditions and wellbeing,” he added.

He called on the Houthis “to unconditionally and immediately release detained staff and rescind all court referrals,” urging regional and international actors to use their influence to push for the same outcomes.

Elsewhere, he said that “there are early positive signs in government areas, including improvements in the provision of electricity and payment of public sector salaries. However, continued tensions, recent security incidents and demonstrations, where in some cases violence and loss of life have been reported, underscore the fragility of the situation.”

“Improvements in service delivery can be reversed if security deteriorates, if economic reforms stall, or if institutions are pulled in competing directions,” he warned.

“The new cabinet under Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani’s leadership can protect recent gains by anchoring them in strengthened institutions and economic reforms. That will require an enabling environment that shields the cabinet and the Central Bank from politicization and rebuilds confidence,” continued Grundberg.

Political process

He revealed that in recent weeks, he has been engaging with the Yemeni parties, regional actors and members of the international community to explore pathways to restart an inclusive political process. His office has also been consulting with diverse Yemenis on this question, including with governors to gain more nuanced insights into local concerns and how to address them at the national level.

Grunberg said: “Across these discussions, three reflections on the way forward are clear: First, we must be honest about what more than a decade of war has done to Yemen. The conflict has become more complex. Lines of contestation have multiplied and local dynamics have grown alongside national ones.”

“While regional tensions have increasingly fueled the conflict and been fueled by it, our common objective has remained steady and firm: Yemen needs an inclusive political process under UN auspices to reach a negotiated political settlement that can sustainably end the conflict,” he urged.

“But getting there requires that the parties adopt a forward-looking approach. We need to build on what still works, revise what are outdated assumptions, and be pragmatic in designing a political process for today’s reality.”

“Second, Yemen’s conflict is a set of interlocking files. Treating political, economic and security issues in isolation can only produce partial results that will not hold,” said the envoy. “Restarting a political process will therefore require that the parties engage across these tracks in tandem, without making engagement in one track contingent on progress in another.”

“And third, a credible process must deliver for Yemenis on two time horizons. It should enable near-term agreements that reduce suffering and demonstrate progress, including economic de-escalation measures. At the same time, it must create space for Yemenis to negotiate the longer-term issues essential to ending the conflict, including the future shape of the state, security arrangements and principles of governance,” Grundberg added.

On the issue of detainees, the envoy said the file “is a clear example of what can be achieved when the parties choose to engage in dialogue.”

“Right now, the parties are in Amman, negotiating face-to-face under UN auspices, to work through the complex task of finalizing names of detainees so a release operation can materialize, building on the agreed outcome of their meeting in Muscat in December,” he told the council.

He encouraged the parties to sustain this engagement, finalize the remaining elements “without delay, and move swiftly to implementation”. He thanked Jordan for hosting these negotiations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross for its “indispensable” role.

Broader conflict

Grundberg also noted regional tension and hoped for de-escalation.

“Whatever the regional trajectory, Yemen must not be pulled back into broader confrontation. The question of peace and war is, fundamentally, a national one. It cannot be outsourced, nor can it be appropriated by a single actor,” he said.

“No single Yemeni actor has the right to unilaterally drag the country into a regional conflict. The responsibility borne by all Yemeni actors and decision makers is first and foremost to the Yemeni people – to their security, to their livelihoods and to their future,” he added.

“Upholding Yemen’s national interest and the aspirations of all its people must remain the guiding principles at all times including in moments of heightened tension. Restraint, in this context, is an obligation,” he urged.