The operation was led by a female security force and launched in response to the “dangerous movement of ISIS cells, especially in the camps where the families of ISIS gangs live, particularly Roj camp,” according to a statement from the force’s general command, published by Siyamend Ali, spokesperson for the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
“This campaign is a continuation of our ongoing struggle against all attempts by ISIS terrorists and a sign of our firm will to drain the sources of terrorism and provide security and stability for all components of our society,” the statement added.
Roj is the smaller of the two camps in Rojava housing people with links to ISIS. The other is the much larger al-Hol, which houses some 40,000 people and has been branded a breeding ground for terrorism.
The majority of people in the camps are Syrian or Iraqi nationals. Baghdad is repatriating its citizens in groups and putting them through a rehabilitation process before reintegrating them into their communities.
In the camps, there are also people from around the world who traveled to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS. Kurdish authorities in Rojava have repeatedly called on the international community to repatriate their nationals, but many countries are unwilling to bring back their citizens due to security concerns.
Both camps are located in Hasaka province and are controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have warned about a possible ISIS resurgence and the security risks posed by the camps.
The SDF is working to prevent the jihadists from taking advantage of Syria’s evolving security situation to reestablish their presence, but has warned that its ability to combat ISIS is being undermined by an offensive against their forces by Turkey and its allied militias in the north.
