After the SDF withdrawal, Syrian security forces deploy in Al-Hol camp
Syrian security forces deployed on Wednesday inside Al-Hol camp, which shelters families of members of the Islamic State group, a day after the Kurds announced their withdrawal from the site.
Around the fenced camp, an Agence France-Presse correspondent saw dozens of security personnel opening a metal gate and entering with their vehicles.
Meanwhile, some of them stood guard over the camp, which is home to around 24,000 people, including 6,300 foreigners consisting of women and children from 42 nationalities.
On Tuesday, the Syrian presidency announced that a preliminary understanding had been reached between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on several issues related to the future of Hasakah province and the mechanisms of integration.
In a statement, the Syrian presidency clarified that “it was agreed to grant the SDF a four-day period for consultations in order to develop a detailed plan for the practical mechanisms of integrating the areas concerned.”
It added: “In the event of agreement, Syrian forces will not enter the city centers of Hasakah and Qamishli and will remain on their outskirts, while the timetable and details related to the peaceful integration of Hasakah province, including the city of Qamishli, will be discussed later.”
The presidency also stated: “It was confirmed that Syrian military forces will not enter Kurdish villages, and that no armed forces will be deployed there, except for local security forces drawn from the region, in accordance with the agreement.”
It further stressed that “both parties agreed to integrate all SDF military and security forces into the Ministries of Defense and Interior, while discussions continue regarding the detailed mechanisms of integration, and that civilian institutions will also be merged into the structure of the Syrian government.”
For their part, the Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement on Telegram: “We announce our full commitment to the ceasefire agreed upon with the government in Damascus, and we affirm that we will not initiate any military action as long as our forces are not attacked in the future.”
They added: “We also reaffirm our openness to political pathways, negotiated solutions and dialogue, and our readiness to move forward with the implementation of the January 18 agreement in a manner that serves de-escalation and stability.”
