US Central Command, SDF to reduce Hawl Camp residents

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, the US Central Command said that it, in cooperation with their partners Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), would continue to reduce the number of residents at Hawl Camp.

“This is part of an ongoing Iraqi government and international effort to repatriate, rehabilitate and reintegrate more than 25,000 Iraqi al-Hol residents,” the statement read.

Hailing the efforts exerted by the Iraqi government, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander said, “We commend the Iraqi government for its constructive and courageous role in this past week’s repatriation operation.”

The US general noted, “The al-Hol camp has long served as a flashpoint of human suffering and a recruiting opportunity for ISIS. That is why repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of these residents is so critical for Iraq, for the region and for the enduring defeat of ISIS.”

On January 14, 142 Iraqi families comprising 580 individuals left the camp in a very first batch in 2023.

In 2022, 925 Iraqi families left the camp in six batches, according to Iraqi officials.