Iraq reveals number of families repatriated from Syria’s Hawl
ERBIL, KRI, Iraq (North Press) – Iraq’s Ministry of Displacement and Migration announced on Friday evening 766 Iraqi families were repatriated from Hawl Camp, east of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, after subjecting them to security measures.
The ministry’s announcement came in tandem with the security campaign Humanity and Security the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has launched for about two weeks inside the camp with the aim of purging active Islamic State Organization (ISIS) sleeper cells.
As a result, dozens of ISIS members were arrested.
The spokesperson for the Iraqi ministry, Ali Abbas, said in a press statement to Iraqi media the number of the repatriated Iraqi families from the camp is 766, numbering 3.090 individuals.
Abbas added that most returnees are elderly, women and children.
They are rehabilitated before returning them to their areas; in coordination with local governments and security agencies.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) praised the campaign taking place in the camp, and stressed its support for the “SDF”, in a statement issued by the CENTCOM following General Michael “Erik” Kurilla visit to the camp on Friday.
On August 25, the Asayish announced launching the second phase of Operation “Humanity and Security” in Hawl Camp to pursue the ISIS sleeper cells.
The first phase was launched in 2021 in response to calls of community and tribal leaders in Hawl countryside to reduce crimes at the camp.
Up to 50.000 individuals, including 30.000 Iraqi nationals, are residing in the Hawl Camp.
The Iraqi National Security Council had adopted resolution number 7 of 2021, which included the formation of a joint committee between National Security Advisers, the Ministry of Displacement and Migration and Joint Operations, as a result, a committee was formed to meet the Iraqi families present in the Hawl camp that want to return, after checking their security position.
Abbas explained the mechanism of returning the nationals to their original areas, where they are transferred to al-Jad’a camp, south of Mosul in Nineveh Governorate, for rehabilitation by a psychological support team that takes 3-4 months.
Then they are returned to their areas in coordination with the local governments in their governorates, the security services and mayors in their areas.
Hawl Camp is a house for 55.829 individuals, including 28.725 Iraqis, 18.850 Syrians and 8.254 of foreign nationalities, according to the latest statistics obtained by North Press.
The camp witnesses murders with different methods, most notably firearms. The management of the camp fears that the latest Turkish threats of invading areas in northern Syria would pave the way for ISIS to reorganize its ranks; North Press cited a statement by the management as saying.