New York, USA (February 12, 2025) – Acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, addressed the Security Council on Wednesday, stating that U.S. assistance for managing and securing camps in northeastern Syria with Islamic State-linked prisoners “cannot last forever.” Shea emphasized that the United States has shouldered too much of this burden for too long and that the camps cannot remain a direct U.S. financial responsibility.
Key Points from the Address
- Repatriation Urged:
- Shea urged countries to expeditiously repatriate their displaced and detained nationals who remain in the region. The al-Hol camp, with a population of around 40,000, is widely viewed as a breeding ground for extremism and a security concern for regional states, particularly neighboring Iraq.
- Role of Syrian Democratic Forces:
- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led force controlling northeast Syria, have long called on countries to repatriate citizens in the camp, which hosts thousands of foreigners. Iraq has repatriated more than 10,000 individuals, but few Western states have shown interest in following suit.
- Impact of U.S. Assistance:
- U.S. assistance has played a vital role in managing and securing the al-Hol and Roj displaced persons camps, as well as SDF-managed facilities detaining thousands of ISIS fighters. However, Shea reiterated that this assistance cannot last indefinitely.
Context and Future Actions
Shea’s remarks come after the ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad in December, following a lightning offensive by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Talks facilitated by the U.S. and France are underway to determine the future of the SDF, with the new Syrian ruling authorities seeking to assert control over the entire country.
Ongoing Concerns
Shea also highlighted ongoing armed hostilities in northern Syria and the importance of pursuing a ceasefire to enable local partners to focus on combating ISIS and maintaining security of detention facilities and displaced persons camps. The United States currently has approximately 2,000 troops in Syria, mostly in the northeast.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, the call for countries to take responsibility for their nationals in the camps remains a critical issue in addressing the long-term stability and security of the region.