Introduction:
The transfer of control over prisons and camps previously administered by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has emerged as a major security and humanitarian challenge.
This issue encompasses approximately 10,000–12,000 suspected ISIS fighters, along with over 60,000 family members (women and children) detained in camps such as al-Hol and al-Roj.
In January 2026, the process saw rapid developments: the handover of al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa on January 23, and al-Shaddadi prison in al-Hasakah, with the ceasefire extended for an additional 15 days on January 24 to facilitate transfers.
The transfer of detainees to Iraq, coordinated by the United States, also commenced, with an initial group of 150 individuals transferred on January 21–22, and potential transfers of up to 7,000 more.
These developments represent a historic opportunity to close the chapter on ISIS, but they also necessitate the urgent need for independent and transparent investigations to distinguish the truly guilty from the innocent, thus preventing human rights violations and long-term security risks.
The Historical and Security Context of the Transfer:
The transfer of control came within the framework of a ceasefire and integration agreement brokered by the United States, which explicitly stipulates the transfer of responsibility for prisons and camps to the Syrian government.
However, the process witnessed serious security incidents, most notably the escape of approximately 120–150 detainees from al-Shaddadi prison in al-Hasakah on January 18–19, with 81 of them having been recaptured so far.
The Syrian authorities accused the SDF of deliberately releasing some prisoners as a bargaining chip, while the SDF denied this, stating that the escape resulted from the rapid withdrawal.
These incidents reveal the fragility of the transitional procedures and underscore that delays in reviewing individual cases can lead to the release of dangerous individuals or the continued detention of innocent people, deepening social divisions in areas east of the Euphrates and hindering the national unification process.
The presence of innocent people among detainees poses a human rights and humanitarian challenge:
Reports from credible international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, confirm that a significant percentage of detainees—especially in camps—are not directly involved in the group’s crimes.
Many women and children are victims of family circumstances or “family affiliation,” without any evidence of participation in terrorist acts.
In men’s prisons, some local Syrians and Iraqis were arrested on charges of “collaborating with ISIS” during the group’s control (2014–2019) without due process or sufficient evidence, constituting arbitrary detention in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Practical evidence of this: The Syrian authorities released 126 children (all under 18) from al-Aqtan prison on January 24–25, 2026, after taking control of the facility. The children reported being abused while in detention.
This release demonstrates the existence of cases of innocence and confirms that indiscriminate mass detention leads to human rights violations and hinders social rehabilitation.
The risks of delaying investigations:
Delays carry multifaceted risks:
- Security: They increase the likelihood of inadvertently releasing dangerous individuals or allowing dormant ISIS cells to exploit the transitional chaos.
- Humanitarian: They exacerbate the suffering of innocent people in overcrowded prisons, with the risk of “slow death” due to medical neglect and infectious diseases.
- Politically: This deepens tensions between Kurdish and Arab communities and provides an opportunity for external powers to exploit the issue for political purposes, thus hindering the establishment of a unified state.
Conclusion:
To capitalize on this historic opportunity, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- The formation of joint independent (Syrian-international) investigative committees, with the participation of the United Nations and the International Coalition, to review individual cases within a period not exceeding 3–6 months.
- The immediate separation and release of innocent individuals (especially women and children not involved in the conflict) with rehabilitation and social reintegration programs.
- Fair and swift trials for the genuine perpetrators, with guarantees against torture or inhumane treatment, in accordance with international standards.
- Close cooperation with Iraq and other countries to repatriate their citizens, and with the International Committee of the Red Cross to monitor conditions inside prisons and camps.
- The establishment of a national transitional justice mechanism that includes compensation for victims and the rehabilitation of innocent detainees.
Finally, transferring control of ISIS prisons and camps represents a fundamental step towards restoring national sovereignty and ending the legacy of the terrorist organization. However, the success of this step depends on adherence to the principles of human rights and justice. Furthermore, expediting the release of innocent detainees is not merely a moral and legal obligation, but a strategic necessity for building a unified, stable Syria, free from the seeds of terrorism and division.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on all parties to cooperate immediately to achieve this goal, ensuring a better future for all Syrians.
References:
- Human Rights Watch reports (January 2026): On civilian protection in northeast Syria.
- Amnesty International reports (January 2026): On the need to respect international law in northeast Syria.
- Official statements from the Syrian Ministry of Interior and the US Central Command (CENTCOM), January 2026.
