Iraq‘s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Araji, revealed that 24 out of 60 countries have started repatriating their nationals linked to ISIS members residing in Syria’s al-Hol camp.
Al-Araji made this announcement on the social media platform “X”, where he highlighted Iraq’s ongoing efforts to encourage these repatriations.
“Al-Hol camp houses families from 60 different countries associated with ISIS fighters.
Following sustained efforts by Iraq, 24 countries have initiated the process of retrieving their citizens,” stated Al-Araji on his official account.
He also noted that Russia recently repatriated 32 children—12 girls and 20 boys—aged between 5 and 17 years, praising the Russian government’s stance and urging other nations to follow suit in preparation for the eventual closure of the camp.
Iraqi Minister of Migration, Evan Faik Jabro, recently discussed with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Ozra Zia, the mechanism for closing camps and ensuring the return of all displaced persons to their countries.
Both sides reviewed ways to provide all requirements for decent living for returning families and their inclusion in income-generating projects, in addition to discussing the issue of displaced persons in the “Al-Hol” Syrian camp.
Jabro emphasized that the ministry’s plan focuses on the voluntary return of displaced persons and rejects their forced residence in camps.
Meanwhile, the U.S. official praised the efforts of the Iraqi government to end the displacement issue, ensure the safe return of families, and provide all requirements for decent living for all returnees.
Al-Hol camp hosts over 43,000 Syrians, Iraqis, and foreigners from at least 45 countries under dire conditions in a densely populated area controlled by Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
ISIS continues to maintain a presence in Iraq and Syria, although their capabilities have been significantly diminished compared to their peak years.
Despite the defeat of their so-called “caliphate,” ISIS has managed to reorganize and continues to pose a security threat in both countries.
