![The Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch on Al Hol camp, the larger of two Kurdish-run displacement camps for relatives of ISIS extremists in Syria. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJTVE3XB3R5LUARPHIC23MGPGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7391d49bcffa21ee4a0c1b136a9b3553617adacb2b4f88d321fd14dbc6537fde&width=400&height=225)
![Hind Saleh Omar lives in a half built house with her children in Al Mansoura, Raqqa, after being released from Al Hol camp at the start of this year. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGV6FNA5P75ZN4BJY3OTPQZVWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8f056e2f2105b6d98bbb7ba4db319206fab5b6e618048fc58d0afc2ad1c3507&width=400&height=225)
![Hind Saleh Omar’s children play outside the front of the half-built house that has become their home since being released from Al Hol camp under tribal agreements three months ago. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U5EVNTDQAPHJQGAQ4KCEQVGLGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=567b48fd94e3cfc341a9c0236afb741345ebbe01d6f92ffca31653d82892177c&width=400&height=225)
![Sheikh Abdul Latif Al Faraj, a tribal leader in rural Raqqa sponsored 10 families for release from Al Hol, though he says pressure from the community means he won’t sponsor any more. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZJBDFT4TD67NIBQE7GFNYQEII4.jpg?smart=true&auth=84329edbfc2c4d4ce5ad139f32b37605d54f53f5f9f2f971e308c88554e9d4ae&width=400&height=225)
![A woman released from Al Hol camp with her children under tribal agreements says she has not been accepted by Syrian communities who accuse her of association with ISIS. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XUG4CQNQWTYSXI5HZNITSQXCTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=244b96cd459fce4da5139b6ca8e2771060d9beb2313166db889b4511c643d428&width=400&height=225)
![The Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch on Al Hol camp, the larger of two Kurdish-run displacement camps for relatives of ISIS extremists in Syria. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJTVE3XB3R5LUARPHIC23MGPGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7391d49bcffa21ee4a0c1b136a9b3553617adacb2b4f88d321fd14dbc6537fde&width=400&height=225)
![Hind Saleh Omar lives in a half built house with her children in Al Mansoura, Raqqa, after being released from Al Hol camp at the start of this year. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGV6FNA5P75ZN4BJY3OTPQZVWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8f056e2f2105b6d98bbb7ba4db319206fab5b6e618048fc58d0afc2ad1c3507&width=400&height=225)
![Hind Saleh Omar’s children play outside the front of the half-built house that has become their home since being released from Al Hol camp under tribal agreements three months ago. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U5EVNTDQAPHJQGAQ4KCEQVGLGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=567b48fd94e3cfc341a9c0236afb741345ebbe01d6f92ffca31653d82892177c&width=400&height=225)
![Sheikh Abdul Latif Al Faraj, a tribal leader in rural Raqqa sponsored 10 families for release from Al Hol, though he says pressure from the community means he won’t sponsor any more. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZJBDFT4TD67NIBQE7GFNYQEII4.jpg?smart=true&auth=84329edbfc2c4d4ce5ad139f32b37605d54f53f5f9f2f971e308c88554e9d4ae&width=400&height=225)
![A woman released from Al Hol camp with her children under tribal agreements says she has not been accepted by Syrian communities who accuse her of association with ISIS. Luke Pierce for The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XUG4CQNQWTYSXI5HZNITSQXCTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=244b96cd459fce4da5139b6ca8e2771060d9beb2313166db889b4511c643d428&width=400&height=225)
![The Syrian Democratic Forces keep watch on Al Hol camp, the larger of two Kurdish-run displacement camps for relatives of ISIS extremists in Syria. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJTVE3XB3R5LUARPHIC23MGPGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7391d49bcffa21ee4a0c1b136a9b3553617adacb2b4f88d321fd14dbc6537fde&width=400&height=225)
Syrian families released from Al Hol struggle for acceptance after ISIS trauma
Experts warn about corrupt tribal resettlement scheme, saying failure to integrate former inmates could aid extremist group’s return
![Gareth Browne](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4d4a1c06-f037-4c51-b70f-14ff8e47802b.png?smart=true&auth=b2123b80c4a9839641f31b3f17d10aaeafe4a03c883b5dd2a31a7e99e12a035f&width=70&height=70)
Gareth Browne
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021