ISIS brides caught in Syria’s new power struggle

Thousands of ISIS-linked women and children remain trapped in Syria’s Al-Hawl and Al-Roj camps as control shifts from Kurdish forces to Damascus, complicating repatriation efforts and deepening uncertainty over their future.

WEBDESK – Act Global Media

Thousands of women and children linked to the Islamic State group are once again facing uncertainty in Syria. As power shifts from Kurdish forces to the Syrian government, their future remains unclear.

The Al-Hawl and Al-Roj camps in north-eastern Syria have held families of suspected ISIS fighters since the group was defeated in 2019. At one point, more than 70,000 people lived in the two camps. Many were wives and children of fighters captured or killed during the war.

Now, a new political struggle is changing the situation.

Damascus takes control

After former president Bashar al-Assad was removed in late 2024, Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, began taking back areas controlled by Kurdish forces.

In January, Syrian government troops entered Al-Hawl camp after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew. Reports said the takeover was confusing. Some detainees escaped, and aid groups reduced their work due to safety fears.

Al-Roj camp, home to about 2,000 women and children, is still under SDF control. However, the Syrian government has made it clear it wants to close both camps and bring them under central control.

A short chance to leave

As the SDF loses territory, camp officials have allowed some detainees with valid travel papers to leave. Among them are 34 Australians — 11 women and 23 children — who received temporary documents.

But their attempt to leave was stopped when Syrian government forces blocked their convoy, saying the move had not been properly coordinated.

This shows how these families are caught between two authorities during a tense transition of power.

US shifts its position

The United States, which supported the SDF in the fight against ISIS, has changed its approach under President Donald Trump. Washington now has closer ties with Syria’s new leadership and believes Damascus can take over responsibility for detention camps.

Trump recently hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House and supported Syria’s role in a new anti-ISIS security framework.

Governments hesitate

Countries like Australia face political pressure at home over whether to bring back citizens linked to ISIS. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticized the women who traveled to Syria, but Australia still has legal responsibilities toward its citizens.

Meanwhile, aid groups warn that life inside Al-Roj is getting worse. Food, clean water, and medical care are limited. Security is fragile.

Experts say the current power shift in Syria could either help solve the issue or leave thousands of women and children stuck for years.

For now, the so-called “ISIS brides” remain trapped between Kurdish forces and Damascus — with their future still uncertain.