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9 stories for 2026-02-23 ยท Syria

Syria 9
๐Ÿ•๏ธ Refugees, displacement & migrant/labor rights ยท Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch, Asharq Al-Awsat, Rudaw

Syria closes al-Hol camp, prepares to take over Roj camp

Syrian authorities have closed al-Hol camp in Hasakah Province following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces, relocating thousands of families with suspected ISIS affiliations. A second camp, Roj, is reportedly set to close soon with Syrian officials taking administrative control, though no exact date has been announced. The closures affect approximately 8,500 people held in camps housing families of men suspected of Islamic State affiliation in northeast Syria.

โ›“๏ธ Political repression, arbitrary detention & extrajudicial violence ยท Al-Araby Al-Jadeed

Syria documents 1,830 corruption cases, launches transparency initiative

Syrian authorities have documented 1,830 corruption cases as part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts. The government has launched a new platform aimed at promoting transparency and accountability. The initiative represents an attempt to address systemic corruption issues within Syrian institutions.

๐Ÿ“ฐ Press freedom & treatment of journalists ยท Al-Araby Al-Jadeed

Syrian journalist Alaa Muhammad killed in Ladhiqiyah home

Syrian journalist Alaa Muhammad was found dead in his residence in Ladhiqiyah (Latakia). The circumstances surrounding his death have not been fully detailed in available reports. The killing raises concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Syria.

โ›“๏ธ Political repression, arbitrary detention & extrajudicial violence ยท Daraj Media

Syrian woman Salma Murshaq dies without answers about son's death

Salma Murshaq, a Syrian woman, has died after five years of seeking answers about the killing of her son, Qusaman Salim. Throughout this period, she reportedly faced persistent grief and trauma related to his death, with no apparent resolution or accountability. Her death marks the end of a prolonged search for justice and information regarding the circumstances of her son's killing.

๐Ÿ•๏ธ Refugees, displacement & migrant/labor rights ยท Asharq Al-Awsat

Committee formed to facilitate safe return of Kurdish refugees to Raqqa

A committee has been established in Raqqa to oversee the secure return of displaced Kurdish refugees to their homes in Raqqa governorate. The initiative aims to ensure safe conditions for returnees and coordinate the repatriation process. The committee's formation represents efforts to address ongoing displacement issues in the region.

๐Ÿ’ฅ Armed conflict, civilian harm & humanitarian access ยท Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq Al-Awsat, Rudaw

ISIS carries out second attack on detention facility in Raqqa, Syria

ISIS conducted a second attack on al-Sbahiya detention facility west of Raqqa, Syria on February 23, 2026. The assault killed at least four members of the Syrian Arab Army and one internal security officer, with another security personnel wounded. The attacks mark a continuation of ISIS operations targeting government security infrastructure in the region.

โ›“๏ธ Political repression, arbitrary detention & extrajudicial violence ยท Asharq Al-Awsat

At least 21 detainees killed in SDF-run prison in Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the deaths of at least 21 detainees in a prison facility controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ain al-Arab (Kobani), east of Aleppo, between January 19โ€“22, 2026. The killings were recorded through field documentation by the human rights organization during the specified period.

๐Ÿ•๏ธ Refugees, displacement & migrant/labor rights ยท Syria Direct

Syria closes informal oil refineries in Deir ez-Zor amid economic and health concerns

The Syrian government is shutting down informal oil refineries operating in Deir ez-Zor province, a move that threatens the livelihoods of workers dependent on this sector but is expected to improve public health and environmental conditions in nearby communities. The closure marks a significant disruption to a local economy heavily reliant on informal petroleum processing operations. While the shutdown addresses documented hazards associated with unregulated refining, it leaves workers facing economic uncertainty.

๐Ÿ•๏ธ Refugees, displacement & migrant/labor rights ยท Rudaw

3,000 Iraqis held in Syrian camp over alleged ISIS connections

Approximately 3,000 Iraqi nationals remain detained in a Syrian camp due to suspected ties to ISIS, according to an official statement. The detainees are held in a camp facility in Syria pending resolution of their cases related to alleged Islamic State affiliations. The continued detention reflects ongoing security concerns in the region regarding former ISIS members and their families.