During the civil war, al-Hawl was seized by Islamic State forces, becoming one of the major IS strongholds in northeastern Syria.

Conditions along the road to the camp, including in screening centers for IS operatives, have been described as "extremely harsh" with limited food, water, shelter and no health services.

When in October 2015, the Kurdish YPG militia and their partners, including the Sunni Arab Shammar tribe's al-Sanadid Forces, joined forces to form the SDF, al-Sanadid leader Bandar al-Humaydi made it an "immediate priority to liberate al-Hawl and Ash Shaddadi from the Islamic State.”[11] In late October 2015, following the successful Battle of Hasakah, the SDF launched their al-Hawl offensive slowly advancing southwards from Tell Hamis.

[2] In the following days, the SDF advanced further westwards to close the remaining ISIL-held pocket around the villages of Abu Hajirat Khuatana and Khuwaytilah.

[13] The town is located some 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of al-Hasakah, on the southern bank of the dried-out wadi ‘Aţā Allāh.

While the wadi has dried out, the spring ‘Ayn al-Hawl, located south of the town, still carries water.