CENTCOM statement on Hol Camp

  • actual
  • 13:12 10 September 2022
  • |
img
ANKARA - US General Erik Kurilla, who visited Hol Camp, emphasized that the most permanent solution is that countries send their own citizens back to their countries.
 
On September 7, 2 fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) lost their lives in a clash with ISIS members in the Hol Camp in Northern and Eastern Syria. CENTCOM Communications Director Colonel Joe Buccino made a statement on the same day and said, "The SDF will continue its efforts to eliminate the ISIS threat." General Erik Kurilla, who visited the camp on September 9, offered his condolences to the families of the killed fighters and made a written statement on the subject.
 
The statement of CENTCOM is as follows: 
 
"Central Command sends its condolences to the families of the two members of the Syrian Democratic Forces killed in a firefight with ISIS in the al-Hol camp on September 8th. I expressed this directly to the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces at the camp. The SDF face danger in their effort to clear ISIS from this site and our thoughts are with their fellow SDF troops.
 
'ISIS USES THE CAMP TO RECRUIT SOLDIERS'
 
The SDF mission to clear ISIS from the camp continues. This is a critical, wide ranging operation which will make the camp safer for all residents. We've already seen ISIS members holding women and girls enslaved in chains inside the camp, torturing camp residents, and seeking to spread their vile ideology. Most of the residents seek to escape ISIS, but ISIS sees the camp as a captive audience for its message and recruitment efforts. It is therefore urgent that we repatriate residents back to their countries of origin and rehabilitate them if needed.
 
'WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE SDF'
 
We continue working with the SDF to address both security at the camp as well as the humanitarian conditions. Working together on al-Hol is an extension of our ongoing cooperation to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.
 
'ISIS IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE BAD CONDITIONS IN THE CAMP'
 
While this camp represents a real threat to the region, it also represents a humanitarian catastrophe. I spoke with several members from the camp today; these discussions reinforced the severity of the situation.With approximately 56,000 residents - more than 90 percent of them women and children - living in tents here, the camp is a flashpoint of human suffering. The site reached 98 degrees while we were out here today, and it gets much hotter. There is little escape from the heat and limited access to running water.ISIS seeks to exploit these horrific conditions. With approximately 80 births in the camp each month, this place is a literal breeding ground for the next generation of ISIS. Approximately 70 percent of the population is under the age of 12. These young people are vulnerable to radicalization given their very poor quality of life.Most residents of the camp reject ISIS. Many want to contribute to society. Many wish to return to their homelands, to reenter the workforce and return their children to school.
 
'THE PROBLEM CAN NOT SOLVED MILITARILY'
 
There is no military solution to the threat posed by the al-Hol camp. I am certain of that. The most durable solution is for countries of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, and reintegrate their citizens. Approximately half of the residents of al-Hol are originally from Iraq. I commend the real progress Iraq has demonstrated to date in repatriating it's nationals. Although substantial, clearly there's a need to acceleratethis progress. Should Iraq repatriate, rehabilitate, and reintegrate its citizens, the problem would immediately become much more manageable. The residents spoke with arrived at the camp in 2017 - prior to the large-scale arrival of ISIS in 2019. They initially went to al-Hol to escape ISIS. They seek to protect their families and to resume a peaceful, safe life with their children. The people I spoke with here are just that: people. They want to raise their children in peace. There are women and children who can be returned to society. They can and want to be productive.
 
'AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION IS NEEDED'
 
This is a situation and a looming catastrophe that requires an international solution. To do so requires the global community viewing this problem with empathy.From the perspective of the United States, this is a situation that requires a whole-of-government approach, I am in dialogue across the US Government to improve security and humanitarian conditions at the camp."

View More Articles

28/09/2023
12:43 At least 228 children murdered after Ceylan
12:26 TJA's campaign: We will organize street by street
12:17 Aydoğan: If the İmralı gate is opened, a new era will be started
11:49 Seriously ill prisoner Tanboğa's health gets worse day by day
11:35 Salih Müslim: The conspiracy ends with the freedom of Öcalan
27/09/2023
16:32 Military activity in Gever
16:30 Ban decision from Şırnak Governorship for 14 regions
16:29 SIHA attack on Binarê Qendîl: 1 person killed
16:22 Selma Irmak sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison
16:18 3 people, including a woman, kidnapped in Afrin
13:10 2 people detained in Qoser
12:58 Ceylan's perpetrators not been found for 14 years
12:50 Politicians' condemned KDP: The attacks harms all Kurds
11:24 12 people detained
11:23 Lawyer Şakar: KDP prevented the disclosure of war crimes
10:58 Lawyer Demir: İmralı is the black hole of law
26/09/2023
14:02 Green Left Party decided to fight altogether against isolation
13:49 Two separate applications for going to İmralı
13:39 Violence and violations increased in home raids
13:30 Vartinis Case heading towards prescription
12:23 Keskin, one of Öcalan's first lawyers: The isolation started on the first day
11:41 'We will take initiatives against isolation of Öcalan'
11:14 63-year-old Samur talked about the strip search she was subjected to
25/09/2023
17:04 Investigation against journalist Candemir
15:03 Prison report: Torture, investigation, exile
14:35 Imprisoned journalist Bayram not released
12:33 41 women and 11 children murdered in Iran in 6 months
10:33 DBP's Akgün: Now is the time for action, not words
10:22 İmralı isolation: 449 meeting applications were left unanswered
10:08 Karamus: Despite reporting the threats to KDP, no precautions were taken
24/09/2023
13:18 Berfin Polat arrested
13:13 Bana been under military blockade for 2 months
13:06 3 kolbers injured in Iranian attack
11:50 Damascus bombed Idlib: 2 dead
10:29 Bülbün's relatives: Reveal the murderers
22/09/2023
15:10 'It is a crime to be a journalist' case against MA editor
14:44 'This congress is the congress of women who say 'jin, jiyan, azadi is our philosophy of life'
14:04 New application submitted by the families of Öcalan and other prisoners
13:13 İldem, who was released after 30 years: Let's create our unity
13:01 İmralı isolation: CPT must take action
13:01 7 people detained during home raids
12:41 'High security and Type S are the isolation prisons'
10:56 Balekani journalist: KDP is betraying Kurds
10:30 Talabani: International Coalition should not remain silent against attacks
21/09/2023
17:25 One citizen was injured in drone attack
16:40 House raids in Zorava: Villagers were used as shields
14:40 Application to the prosecutor's office and prison for Abdullah Öcalan
14:39 22 people detained in commemoration of Gezmiş, Aslan and İnan
14:04 'The government imposes its religious and nationalist ideology on children'
13:50 Dilsiz: The state has to comply with the law in İmralı