Syria: Dire Conditions for ISIS Suspects’ Families

Children can be seen throughout al-Hol annex caring for other children. More than two-thirds of the foreigners in the annex are younger than 12, and most children are younger than 5. Children often lug jugs of water to their tents from large tanks. Camp i
Children can be seen throughout al-Hol annex caring for other children. More than two-thirds of the foreigners in the annex are younger than 12, and most children are younger than 5. Children often lug jugs of water to their tents from large tanks. Camp inhabitants and aid workers told Human Rights Watch that both sources of water are often contaminated. © 2019 Sam Tarling
A mother holds her infant at al-Hol annex. Some women with risky pregnancies are giving birth in their tents without a doctor or midwife. Aid workers said one reason is that security guards sometimes delay the women’s requests to go to a hospital, or the
A mother holds her infant at al-Hol annex. Some women with risky pregnancies are giving birth in their tents without a doctor or midwife. Aid workers said one reason is that security guards sometimes delay the women’s requests to go to a hospital, or the women arrive at a hospital only to be turned away because it is full. © 2019 Sam Tarling
Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria has rapidly expanded with the influx of more than 63,000 women and children displaced by the offensive against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Baghouz between December 2018 and April 2019. The area at lower right s
Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria has rapidly expanded with the influx of more than 63,000 women and children displaced by the offensive against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Baghouz between December 2018 and April 2019. The area at lower right shows the annex, now housing more than 11,000 non-Iraqi foreigners. © 2019 Planet Labs
A girl stands in the annex of al-Hol camp in northeast Syria, where more than 11,000 women and children from nearly 50 nationalities are confined as family members of Islamic State (also known as ISIS) suspects. The Kurdish-led coalition controlling north
A girl stands in the annex of al-Hol camp in northeast Syria, where more than 11,000 women and children from nearly 50 nationalities are confined as family members of Islamic State (also known as ISIS) suspects. The Kurdish-led coalition controlling northern Syria wants home countries to take the women and children back. But most governments have only repatriated small numbers of their citizens. © 2019 Sam Tarling
Women and children newly arrived at al-Hol annex confront an aid worker who is handing out tents. The women said they had waited all night for shelter. All camp inhabitants now have tents.
Women and children newly arrived at al-Hol annex confront an aid worker who is handing out tents. The women said they had waited all night for shelter. All camp inhabitants now have tents. But many are torn or are winter tents that retain heat, making them almost inhabitable in the summer which temperatures sometimes rise to 50 degrees Celsius. © 2019 Sam Tarling
Conditions are dire throughout al-Hol camp and particularly in the annex. Human Rights Watch found overflowing latrines and sewage trickling into tents, and emaciated children sifting through garbage or laying limp on tent floors, with dirt and flies on t
Conditions are dire throughout al-Hol camp and particularly in the annex. Human Rights Watch found overflowing latrines and sewage trickling into tents, and emaciated children sifting through garbage or laying limp on tent floors, with dirt and flies on their bodies. Children are dying from acute diarrhea and flu-like infections, according to aid groups. © 2019 Sam Tarling
Children at al-Hol annex queue for permission to fetch rations from the main area of the camp. Women in the annex said that sometimes by the time they or their children arrive, the food is gone and they need to return the following day.
Children at al-Hol annex queue for permission to fetch rations from the main area of the camp. Women in the annex said that sometimes by the time they or their children arrive, the food is gone and they need to return the following day. © 2019 Letta Tayler/Human Rights Watch
A chain-link fence flanked by armed guards separates the annex from the main sections of al-Hol. The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration for Northeast Syria is confining 62,000 Syrian and Iraqi family members of ISIS suspects in the main sections, also
A chain-link fence flanked by armed guards separates the annex from the main sections of al-Hol. The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration for Northeast Syria is confining 62,000 Syrian and Iraqi family members of ISIS suspects in the main sections, also without charge. Annex inhabitants must wait for armed escorts to bring them to hospitals, even for emergencies. © 2019 Sam Tarling
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