Iraq Repatriates Over 11,500 Nationals from Al-Hol Camp

Iraq has successfully repatriated more than 11,500 citizens from the infamous al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, which houses individuals linked to ISIS, Rudaw reported citing a statement from the Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons.

Ministry spokesperson Ali Abbas reported that a total of 11,529 people have returned, all of whom are currently being housed at the al-Jada camp in Nineveh province for rehabilitation.

The majority of the approximately 40,000 individuals held at al-Hol are Iraqis and Syrians, following the defeat of ISIS in 2019. The camp has been criticized for fostering terrorism. Currently, 2,461 Iraqi nationals remain in al-Jada and have not yet been reintegrated into their communities.

The repatriation of individuals associated with ISIS has faced significant backlash in Iraq, with local tribes reluctant to accept those linked to the group, which was responsible for severe human rights violations from 2014 to 2017. Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria have urged the international community to repatriate their nationals, but most countries have been hesitant due to security concerns. Abbas also announced plans to repatriate an additional 150 families from al-Hol soon.