Under the auspices of the global fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, exceptional policies have been implemented involving the indefinite and arbitrary detention of women, children and men in Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) calls on all relevant parties – including the Global Coalition, local authorities in northeast Syria, and states with nationals in Al-Hol – to assume responsibility for the welfare of people in Al-Hol. It also calls on the Global Coalition to support local authorities in taking immediate steps to guarantee people’s wellbeing, protection and fundamental human rights. 

The below report, Between two fires: danger and desperation in Syria’s Al-Hol camp, lays bare the cruelty of the long-term detainment of more than 50,000 people in Al-Hol, northeast Syria.