Iraqi Minister of Migration, Evan Faik Jabro, discussed with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Ozra Zia, and her accompanying delegation, the mechanism for closing camps and ensuring the return of all displaced persons to their original areas of residence while preserving their dignity, and ways to support returnees according to the ministry’s plan, in accordance with the directives of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
According to the Iraqi News Agency “NINA,” both sides reviewed during the meeting today, Thursday, 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.
The Iraqi Minister of Migration emphasized that the ministry’s plan focuses on the voluntary return of displaced persons and rejects their forced residence in camps.
On her part, 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.
In March, about 160 Iraqi families were repatriated from al-Hol. Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aaraji announced on March 2 that Iraq has returned ‘1,924 families from al-Hol camp, totaling 7,556 Iraqi citizens,’ adding that ‘1,230 families have voluntarily returned to their original areas, and the remaining are undergoing rehabilitation at Jad’ah camp.’ The return of extremists’ relatives continues to spark controversy among Iraqis, who underwent a three-year war ending in late 2017 with the expulsion of ISIS after it had controlled about a third of the country.
Some Iraqis oppose efforts to repatriate their nationals from al-Hol, stressing that family members of ISIS fighters are unwelcome. Despite the challenges, Iraq is among the few countries that regularly repatriate its citizens from al-Hol, a move welcomed by both the United Nations and the United States. Despite the organization’s defeat in the field, its fighters continue to launch attacks against civilians and security forces in Iraq and Syria.
ISIS continues to maintain a presence in Iraq and Syria, although their capabilities have been significantly diminished compared to their peak years. According to recent reports, despite the defeat of their so-called “caliphate,” ISIS has managed to reorganize and continues to pose a security threat in both countries. They have been involved in sporadic attacks and maintain some level of operational capability, largely due to the complex and unstable political environments in the region.
