US: Assistance for ISIS prisoners in northeastern Syria will not last forever

US: Assistance for ISIS prisoners in northeastern Syria will not last forever

Acting US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea told the Security Council that US support for ISIS-linked detainees and the management of the al-Hol and Roj camps in northeastern Syria cannot continue indefinitely.

"The United States has borne this burden for too long, but providing security and funding for these camps cannot remain a permanent U.S. responsibility," he said, urging countries to repatriate their citizens.

40 thousand inhabitants, ongoing threat

After the defeat of ISIS in 2019, the al-Hol camp was filled with about 40,000 people, including families of ISIS fighters. The area is considered a security concern for countries in the region, especially Iraq.

Iraqi officials say the country has repatriated more than 10,000 of its citizens, but Western countries have shown little interest in such measures. About 16,000 people in the camp are currently believed to be Syrians.