The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) issued a statement about the latest developments in al-Hol, and the misleading declarations by the Ministry of Interior.
The statement said: “Our forces have followed the statements issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior in the Damascus government, which sought to evade responsibility for what occurred in al-Hol Camp and the clear failure in managing the file after the camp was taken over by forces affiliated with the Ministries of Interior and Defense.
The events were preceded by direct attacks and military mobilizations by factions affiliated with Damascus toward the camp, with clashes reaching its perimeter walls. These developments coincided with coordinated movements inside the camp by families of ISIS members aimed at inciting chaos. In light of this deliberate escalation, and amid suspicious international silence, our forces were compelled to withdraw in order to prevent the camp from turning into an open battlefield.”
The statement added: “Subsequently, those factions entered the camp and began releasing families of ISIS members in front of their own cameras. Smuggling operations continued openly and in a documented manner for more than with the protection of personnel affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior of the Damascus government.
Responsibility for these actions lies with the authorities that assumed effective control and administration at that time. These facts are documented by audio and visual evidence and cannot be erased by misleading media statements.”
The statement continued: “Our forces and the camp administration have fulfilled their duties, moral, and security responsibilities over the years, despite the complexity of this file, the lack of sufficient support, and ongoing security challenges. Our primary objective has always been to protect the camp’s residents and prevent the re-emergence of ISIS cells, whether inside or outside the camp.
Accordingly, the irresponsible statements issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior cannot be separated from political attempts to mislead public opinion and divert attention from the security and administrative shortcomings that accompanied the period during which those factions controlled the camp.
We therefore affirm the following:
The withdrawal of our forces was a direct result of the military attack and mobilization targeting the camp and its surroundings by forces affiliated with Damascus. The releasing and smuggling of ISIS families occurred after the entry of Damascus-affiliated factions and involved their direct participation. Over the past years, our forces have been the most committed party in managing this complex file in accordance with the highest possible humanitarian and security standards.”
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