'We will behead you': Children in Syria camp vow ISIS will return

The Kurdish armoured vehicle we're in is being peppered by stones and rocks. But this a good day.

The soldiers we're with face far worse. Knifings and bombings feature regularly from the ISIS families detained in sprawling detention camps in northeast Syria.

The Kurdish troops have guarded these camps packed with ISIS wives and relatives for more than six years.

But since the toppling of the Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad, attacks in and around the camps have more than doubled.

Kane Ahmed, the commander of Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) troops for al Hol camp, told us: "The threat of ISIS has increased both inside and outside the camp... especially after the fall of the Syrian regime, it's gone up a lot and we see attempts by them to escape on almost a daily basis."

He shows us the perimeter fence which has been reinforced several times in places. "It's not secure enough," he says.

The troops watch these camps through three round-the-clock CCTV rooms and often mount raids after receiving intelligence about IS operations.

"We know they are receiving help from outside IS cells who smuggle weapons inside and help smuggle people out," the commander says.

Delivery trucks have been used to smuggle detainees out in hollowed out seats. Waterways have been turned into routes to sneak the children out.

"They are recruited by ISIS as the next cubs of the caliphate," the commander warns.

The camp managers have long warned about the lack of rehabilitation facilities and psychological help for these children to de-radicalise the young.

More than 60% of those at al Hol are children - 22,000 of them. Many have been born here and know nothing beyond their caged existence.

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They distrust outsiders and throw stones at the troops and us from afar, as well as try to kick our cameras.

We're given armed soldiers who escort us round the camp, and we're told to don protective vests and helmets.

"You will be attacked," the camp management tell us. Raids on the tents frequently turn up homemade bombs, guns, grenades and knives.

The troops wave their guns at the hordes of children who immediately gather round us as they taunt their guards.

"We will behead you," they say. "One day we will be in charge. ISIS is coming back."

One burqa-clad woman at the camp tells us: "We love the Islamic State. We were free with them. Here we are captives."

The dramatic agreement between the Kurdish-led SDF and Syria's interim president is being viewed as a breakthrough for relations between the Kurdish minority in the northeast and the new Islamist authorities.

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But the questions over what happens to the ISIS prisoners and their families remains. ISIS is exploiting the power vacuum to regroup and grow.

The SDF commander warns: "We need help to control ISIS from the international coalition. We cannot do this on our own."

Alex Crawford reports from northeast Syria with cameraman Jake Britton, senior specialist producer Chris Cunningham and producers Fahad Fattah and Fazel Hawramy.

(c) Sky News 2025: 'We will behead you': Children in Syria camp vow ISIS will return