Women in Syria's Roj camp report intensified abuse and violence

Women detained in Syria's Roj camp have reported a significant escalation in abuse, violence, and degrading treatment since the beginning of 2026. A report by the Swedish-based rights organisation Repatriate the Children (RTC), based on testimony from over 40 women, details increased nightly armed raids, beatings, gunfire within the camp, and the separation of children from their mothers. These violations have reportedly increased in both frequency and severity following developments in January 2026.

According to testimonies, detainees live in a constant state of fear, with guards pointing guns at women and warning them against leaving their tents during security operations, under threat of being shot by snipers. Women also reported verbal abuse, having cold water poured on them, and being told that "there are no human rights." The deterioration in conditions is linked by one woman to wider instability following territorial losses by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the reassertion of control by the Damascus government.

Beyond physical and psychological abuse, detainees reported regular confiscation or theft of personal belongings, including money, phones, carpets, blankets, and even food. Homes were ransacked, and property damaged, contributing to a pervasive sense of insecurity. Living conditions have also worsened, with reports of severe electricity shortages and inadequate healthcare, including the alleged theft of a generator purchased by detainees. The mental health impact is profound, with women describing humiliation, belittlement, and mockery, leading to a need for psychological care. One woman claimed a French detainee died in April after being denied medical treatment for severe headaches.

Roj camp, located near the Iraqi border and administered by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the SDF, houses women and children linked to suspected former IS fighters. It became the country's last major detention facility for foreign families after the larger Hol camp collapsed in January. Children constitute a significant majority of the camp's population, with 63% of the 2,324 residents being children as of December 2025, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. The recent escalation has had a profound impact on these children, who are already struggling with years of violence and confinement.