SORGUL ŞÊXO

Hesekê (Hasakah)– Al-Hol camp is located in the Jazira Canton, 45 km east of the city of Hasakah.The camp hosts about 43,477 people from 45 countries. Most of them are the families of ISIS, which was defeated by the YPJ (Women’s Defense Forces) and the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) in Deir ez-Zor in March 2019. The al-Hol camp is considered the most dangerous camp in the region and the whole world. The camp is controlled by the Internal Security Forces and the YPJ/SDF. On January 27, the General Command of Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria Region announced that they launched the third phase of Operation Humanity and Security against ISIS sleeper cells and the people supporting the activities of ISIS in the al-Hol camp with the support of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

In an interview with NuJINHA, Destîna Kobanê, one of the commanders of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ), commented the necessities and results of the third phase of the operation

‘The operation was launched after getting information about possible new attacks’

At the beginning of her speech, Destîna Kobanê explained why they launched the third phase of the Operation Security and Humanity as follows: "We got information saying that ISIS sleeper cells were in preparation for a new attack to destroy the security in al-Hol camp. We launched the third phase of the operation to protect the people of the region. ISIS poses a threat not only to al-Hol camp but also to the region and the whole world.IS Although ISIS has been defeated geographically and militarily in North and East Syria, they are still active in al-Hol camp; they still carry out military training and the people, who want to flee from their extremist ideas are punished in different ways.”

‘The results show the reason and necessity of the operation’

Destîna Kobanê drew attention to the operation that lasted for three days in the Muhajîrat section of the camp and said: "We found weapons, mines, many other ammunition in tents and tunnels and seized and neutralized them. We also found grenades and arrested women, who want to revive ISIS. The members of the Ashbal al-Khalifa (Cubs of the Caliphate, ISIS’s brigade of boys aged between 10 and 15), who were trained to carry out attacks, were also arrested. The tunnels used to hide the members of Ashbal al-Khalifa were discovered and destroyed by our forces. A lot of weapons, bullets, bombs and rockets were found in the Syrian and Iraqi sections of the camp. All these highlight the threat posed by ISIS in the region.”

'The threat continues'

Destîna Kobanê reported that the ISIS members had been planning to take revenge against the forces. "An ISIS leader, who wanted to blow himself up among the members of our forces, was arrested by the YPJ. The main targets were arrested and all the people in the camp were registered once again. While the third phase of the operation was launched, Turkish airstrikes targeted four members of the Internal Security forces. The operation was launched and ended with successful results. We want to say that ISIS still poses a threat to the whole world."

‘The fight against ISIS is not only the responsibility of YPJ/SDF’

Destîna Kobanê recalled the international community to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.“There are ISIS members from many countries in this camp, which means that this threat is posed not only to Syria and Iraq but also to the whole world. ISIS fought in many countries and many armies fled from them but the ones who fought against them and made an historical resistance are the members of the YPJ/SDF. As a result, all foreign ISIS members are held in this camp. People defending humanity and democracy should not accept this. Many international forces fought along with the YPJ/SDF to defeat ISIS. Now, they should not leave us alone in the fight against ISIS. The fight against ISIS is not only the responsibility of the YPJ/SDF but also all countries.”

‘We vow to rescue all Yazidi women held captive by ISIS’

Destîna Kobanê emphasized that the aim of the third phase of the operation was to rescue Yazidi women held captive by ISIS in the camp. "Thousands of Yazidi women were abducted, raped and sold in slaves markets by ISIS. As the YPJ, we vow to rescue all Yazidi women held captive by ISIS. During the operation, we rescued a Yazidi woman. We will do our best to reunite her with her family."

‘The ongoing Turkish airstrikes strengthen the sleeper cells of ISIS’

Destîna Kobanê said that ISIS organized itself everywhere in North and East Syria. “There are sleeper cells of ISIS everywhere such as in Deir ez-Zor, Manbij and al- Hol camp. All countries should raise their voices to stop the ongoing Turkish airstrikes on North and East Syria and the Syrian airspace should be closed to Turkish warplanes and drones to protect civilians. The ongoing Turkish airstrikes strengthen the sleeper cells of ISIS.”

‘The YPJ and SDF will continue to fight even if they don't fulfill their responsibility’

Destîna Kobanê concluded her speech saying, "The countries claim that they defend peace, democracy and security in the Middle East, but do not take any steps to ensure peace, democracy and security in the Middle East. The YPJ/ SDF always make sacrifices to protect the people. We call on all countries and states to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. The YPJ and SDF will continue to fight ISIS even if they do not fulfill their responsibility."