Notorious Syrian Camp Linked to ISIS Families Empties Out

The last convoy departs the camp, which once housed tens of thousands of women and children.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A notorious camp in Syria that once housed tens of thousands of women and children with alleged ties to the Islamic State group has been emptied out, officials reported. The camp, which had become a symbol of the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the collapse of the militant group's self-declared caliphate, has now been fully evacuated.

Why it matters

The evacuation of the al-Hol camp, which held family members of IS fighters, marks a significant milestone in efforts to deal with the aftermath of the militant group's territorial defeat. The camp had become a major security and humanitarian concern, with reports of violence, poor living conditions, and the radicalization of residents.

The details

The last convoy of buses departed the al-Hol camp on February 22, 2026, taking the final residents to other facilities. At its peak, the camp housed over 70,000 people, mostly women and children. Many were family members of IS fighters, though the exact affiliations of all residents were unclear. The evacuation process has been gradual, with periodic transfers to other camps or repatriation of foreign nationals to their home countries.

  • The al-Hol camp reached its peak population of over 70,000 in 2019.
  • Gradual evacuations and transfers from the camp have been ongoing since 2020.
  • The last convoy of buses departed the camp on February 22, 2026, marking its complete evacuation.

The players

al-Hol camp

A notorious camp in northeastern Syria that once housed tens of thousands of women and children with alleged ties to the Islamic State group.

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The takeaway

The emptying of the al-Hol camp is a significant milestone in efforts to address the humanitarian crisis left in the wake of the Islamic State's territorial defeat. However, the long-term challenge of reintegrating and deradicalizing former IS affiliates and their families remains, as does the need to provide adequate support and security for the displaced.