Iraq to repatriate all Iraqi families from al-Hawl Camp in 2025
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons has announced plans to repatriate all Iraqi families currently residing in al-Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria by the end of 2025.
Ali Jehangir, the ministry’s spokesperson, told the Kurdish network Rudaw that the operation remains “complex,” as some families are resisting return, particularly those linked to suspected members of the Islamic State group ISIS.
Operations to return Iraqi families from al-Hawl have been ongoing since 2021. Last month, in August, the 29th convoy of repatriates left the camp.
The camp, which falls under the administration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and is secured by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), currently hosts approximately 27,000 people. Among them are 15,000 Syrians, 5,000 Iraqis, and the remainder from 42 other countries. Al-Hawl Camp has been a central site for displaced families and former ISIS affiliates, where the SDF maintains security and humanitarian support.
Jehangir added that a conference on the issue will be held in New York later this month, with participation from the Iraqi president, the minister of migration, the national security advisor, and representatives from the United States and the international coalition against ISIS. “We will present our vision regarding the mechanism for repatriating all Iraqi families from al-Hawl Camp,” he said.
The repatriation process aligns with broader efforts to restore stability to the region and ensure safe return for displaced populations under coordinated protocols. The SDF continues to facilitate security and logistical support within the camp, while the AANES provides local governance and humanitarian assistance.
Authorities have emphasized that while the operation is ongoing, the complex legal and security issues surrounding some residents require careful management. Officials have also stated that families will receive support during reintegration into Iraqi communities.
The Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons plans to complete the repatriation by the end of the year, with subsequent monitoring of the returned families’ welfare and security arrangements.