Dozens of Iraqi Families Depart Syria’s al-Hol Camp for Iraq
By Kardo Roj
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A total of 86 Iraqi families left al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria on Thursday, as part of ongoing cooperation between the Iraqi government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to repatriate Iraqi nationals.
This marks the 21st batch of Iraqi families to be repatriated since the coordination efforts began, and the third such transfer since the start of 2025.
Steady Repatriation Efforts Continue
A source from al-Hol camp confirmed to North Press that approximately 500 Iraqi nationals, divided into 86 families, were transferred back to Iraq under the latest repatriation plan.
The previous transfer took place last Saturday, when 148 Iraqi families departed the camp as part of the joint Iraqi-AANES efforts to facilitate the return of displaced Iraqi citizens.
Challenges in Al-Hol Camp
Al-Hol camp, located in the southern countryside of Hasakah, hosts tens of thousands of individuals, including Iraqi refugees, Syrians, and families of suspected ISIS members. The camp has long been described as a humanitarian crisis zone, with security concerns linked to extremist elements still present among the residents.
The Iraqi government, in collaboration with AANES and international organizations, has been gradually repatriating its citizens in an effort to alleviate the situation in al-Hol and mitigate potential security risks.
Despite these efforts, many Iraqi families remain in the camp, awaiting security screenings and approvals before being allowed to return.
Future of Repatriation Efforts
While Iraq has accelerated its repatriation process, the overall pace of returns remains slow, given the complex vetting procedures and the need for reintegration programs to accommodate returnees.
Observers suggest that increased international support could facilitate a faster and more sustainable resolution for those still stranded in al-Hol camp, where humanitarian conditions remain dire.