International Studies Journal (ISJ)

International Studies Journal (ISJ)

IS-Affiliated Financial Networks Double Down on their Efforts of Exfiltrating Loyalists, Particularly IS Young Boys, from Camp al Hol

Document Type : Original Article from Result of Research Project

Authors
Mona Thakkar 1
Anne Speckhard 2
1 Master’s in International Relations from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
2 Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE). She serves as Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine and an Affiliate in the Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University.
10.22034/isj.2023.182470
Abstract
The security threat posed by the sprawling Al-Hol camp in N.E. Syria remains a major security concern as an IS recruiting hub for minors as well as a key financial node for laundering funds to fuel its insurgency and because of the IS-affiliated networks’ attempts at exfiltrating detainees to replenish its ranks. Youth in both camps al Hol and Roj have been being exposed to IS indoctrination, training, and abuse under the influence of hardline IS women who crowdfund to keep their activities going. ICSVE' monitoring of the IS-linked financial networks of the past 4 months (November 2022- February 2023) suggest that these entities have prioritized raising smuggling capital for critically ill pro IS women detainees and youth as well as for smuggling young boys out of Camp al Hol before they can be taken to rehabilitation centers where they will be separated and protected from this malevolent IS influence. The crowdfunding networks appear on Telegram primarily, but make use of other platforms as well and some financial transactions take place in plain view even using European banks, others by cryptocurrency and in a hidden manner. 
Keywords
Camp Al-Hol
N.E. Syria
ISIS
Islamic State
crowdfunding
smuggling

Subjects

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