In Syria, instability allowed ISIS fighters to flee camps, but many of their families still detained

Deep within the war-torn landscape of northeastern Syria, a makeshift detention camp remains as a last bastion of confinement for the wives and children of ISIS fighters. In a region where the fragile balance of power is constantly shifting, NPR has gained rare access to the camp, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who have been left behind by the crumbling caliphate. As the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) struggle to maintain control over the area, the camp's residents face an uncertain future, with many feared to be at risk of being repatriated to their home countries or falling prey to the resurgence of extremist groups. As the international community grapples with the complex issue of how to handle the families of ISIS fighters, NPR's reporting from the camp offers a poignant and timely exploration of the human cost of conflict.

NPR visits the last detention camp for ISIS wives and children in an increasingly precarious northeastern Syria.