Iraqi refugee killed, four others die in fire in Al-Hawl camp

North-Press Agency

On Thursday morning, security forces responsible for protecting al-Hawl camp, east of Hasakah, found the body of an Iraqi refugee who was killed last night under mysterious circumstances.

A source from al-Hawl camp administration told North-Press that Abdullah Hamad al-Muhammad, an Iraqi 60-year-old father of six, was killed late Wednesday night after receiving a severe blow to the head.

The source indicated that the victim was staying with his family in the town of al-Baghouz east of Deir ez-Zor before moving to Al-Hawl camp more than a year and a half ago after ISIS was defeated in its last stronghold in Syria.

An informed source in al-Hawl camp told North-Press that four Iraqi refugees lost their lives yesterday, Wednesday, after a fire broke out in a tent inhabited by a family of seven, in the first section of the camp that includes Iraqi refugees. Three others were transferred to hospitals in the city of Hasakah.

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the camp security forces found the body of another Iraqi refugee, Khamis Hamid, who had died from blows to the head with a hammer, before the perpetrators tried to burn his tent and a nearby tent.

The source added that investigations are underway to find out the circumstances of the accident and confirm whether it was intended or not.

Al-Hawl camp in Hasakah countryside witnesses a repeated occurrence of killings and arson in the camp, and ISIS women are often accused of being behind them.

Al-Hawl camp currently houses more than 67,000 people, including about 40,000 women and children from the families of ISIS. More than half of the camp's residents hold Iraqi citizenship.