Iraq says Hawl Camp nearing closure after repatriation efforts
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displacement announced on Saturday that the Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria is nearing closure after Baghdad repatriated and rehabilitated about 21,000 Iraqis without recording security breaches in their home areas.
Karim al-Nouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that Hawl Camp had posed a major security threat but that Iraq had made significant progress in resolving the issue.
“Hawl Camp in northeastern Syria was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment, but Iraq has succeeded in dismantling it, and only a small number remain,” al-Nouri said.
He added that approximately 1,200 Iraqi displaced people remain in the camp, describing the number as relatively small compared with the thousands who have already returned to Iraq.
According to al-Nouri, around 21,000 Iraqis have been repatriated to their areas of origin, with no security breaches reported in the communities where they resettled.
He pointed out that the absence of security incidents demonstrated the success of efforts to socially and psychologically rehabilitate the returnees and reintegrate them into their communities.
Al-Nouri said the file of Iraqi nationals in Hawl Camp would be “completely closed soon.”
Hawl Camp, located east of Hasakah, once housed thousands of people, including families of Islamic State (ISIS) members from Syria, Iraq and dozens of other countries. The camp has long been viewed as a major humanitarian and security challenge.
In September 2025, an international conference was held at the United Nations headquarters following Iraqi efforts and cooperation with the UN to discuss solutions to the complex al-Hol camp issue and encourage countries to repatriate their nationals.
The conference reflected growing international concern over the camp and efforts to accelerate the return and rehabilitation of its residents as part of preparations for its eventual closure.