232 Iraqi families leave Hawl Camp for voluntary return to Iraq
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A total of 232 Iraqi families, comprising 850 individuals, left on Thursday Hawl Camp in northeast Syria as part of a voluntary return program coordinated between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Iraqi government.
According to camp management, this marks the 29th organized repatriation of Iraqi refugees since the program began, and the 12th convoy since the start of 2025.
Jihan Hannan, Co-Chair of Hawl Camp, told North Press that “more than 20,000 Iraqi refugees have left the camp so far in coordination with the Iraqi government, while around 6,000 remain.”
She said that there is no fixed timetable for the camp’s full evacuation but emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce the population.
“It is possible that some refugees who do not wish to leave will remain in the camp. The administration will not force anyone to depart against their will,” Hannan said.
In late July, 233 Iraqi families — more than 800 people — departed the camp in a similar repatriation effort, which was the 11th convoy since the beginning of the year.