CASH CAMPS - FINANCING DETAINEE ACTIVITIES IN AL-HOL AND ROJ CAMPS

Despite the efforts of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)3 and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, evidence suggests that the camps are a growing asset for the Islamic State because they serve as hubs to draw and move funds, build ideological and financial support for the cause, and establish channels that benefit the organization. [...] In addition to fostering an environment more conducive to the resurgence of the Islamic State, factors such as the plight of individuals in the detention facilities and the economy that meets that population’s demands benefit criminal and extremist networks beyond those sympathetic to the Islamic State. [...] 7 “Eleventh report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat,” United Nations Security Council, S/2020/774, August 4, 2020; “Twelfth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range. [...] 8 “Eleventh report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat.” 9 “Twelfth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in c. [...] An unknown number of individuals sympathetic to [the Islamic State] live at the camp, some of whom have continued to actively support [Islamic State] activities from within the camp.”20 Though it is hard to determine the number of residents committed to the cause of the Islamic State, the presence of people with ties to the organization is clear.