Iraq to repatriate 150 families from Syria’s al-Hol camp

Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displaced announced plans to repatriate 150 families from al-Hol camp in northeast Syria, which houses individuals linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), Iraqi media network Rudaw reported.

Ministry spokesperson Ali Abbas confirmed on Friday that the families would be relocated to al-Jada camp in Iraq’s Nineveh province for rehabilitation lasting several months, depending on their circumstances.

Al-Hol camp, located in Syria’s Hasaka province, is home to around 40,000 people, mostly Iraqis and Syrians, connected to ISIS since the group’s defeat in 2019. The camp has been criticized as a potential hotspot for terrorism.

The repatriation process, coordinated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has faced opposition in Iraq, particularly from local tribes unwilling to accept individuals tied to ISIS due to past atrocities committed by the group. Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria have urged the international community to repatriate citizens from al-Hol, but most nations remain reluctant, citing security concerns.