Iraqi refugees in Hawl Camp urge Baghdad to expedite repatriation
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Iraqi refugees living in Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria renewed on Monday calls for the Iraqi government to accelerate their return to their areas of origin, voicing frustration over repeated delays and fears of arrest upon repatriation.
Ali al-Khalaf, a man from Anbar Governorate, told North Press that many camp residents are eager to return home but are deterred by the threat of potential prosecution.
“We want to go back as soon as possible,” he said. “But we are afraid the Iraqi security forces might arrest us based on old cases dating back 30 years. We hope the government will not take that path.”
Mariam Muhammad, a woman from Fallujah, echoed similar concerns. She said they had already registered for return to Iraq but have yet to receive any formal response.
“We do not know why it is taking so long. Every time we ask, we are told the delay is on the Iraqi side,” she said. “How much longer must we stay here? My children’s future is slipping away in this camp.”
In a previous statement to North Press, the Hawl Camp administration confirmed that coordination efforts with both the Syrian and Iraqi governments are ongoing to facilitate the repatriation of all Iraqi nationals.
Since the beginning of 2025, eight groups of Iraqi refugees have been transferred from the Hawl Camp back to Iraq through joint coordination between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Iraqi government.