Iraq’s national advisor also noted that approximately 16,000 Iraqis remain in the camp and are awaiting repatriation. [Getty]
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has urged other nations to follow Iraq‘s example in repatriating their citizens who were formerly affiliated with Islamic State (IS) and are currently detained at al-Hol camp. The appeal follows Iraq’s recent announcement that it has repatriated 3,000 former IS members from the facility, which has long been described as a “ticking time bomb” for regional stability.
Situated in al-Hasakah province, north-eastern Syria, al-Hol camp holds tens of thousands of people, including relatives of suspected IS fighters.
“At present, there are more than 12,000 IS families in the al-Hol camp,” Fethullah Husseini, a representative of AANES in the Iraqi Kurdistan region told The New Arab.Â
“Yes, some individuals are being sent home from the camp, especially those from Iraq. There are still different nationalities in the camp,” he added, encouraging other countries to mirror Iraq‘s approach. Husseini stressed that AANES is ready to support repatriations, as doing so would reduce the burden on its own authorities.
“We have to feed and guard these individuals,” he said. “Everyone is aware al-Hol is a time bomb—if it goes off, it would destabilise not just north-eastern Syria, but the whole of Syria, Iraq, and the broader region.”
Iraqi efforts to counter extremism
Iraq’s National Security Adviser, Qasim al-Araji, stated on Tuesday that the country has taken deliberate steps to address extremism, uphold justice, and prevent terrorism. He highlighted the repatriation of 12,000 Iraqis from al-Hol camp since May 2021 and the retrieval of 3,000 former IS militants from Syria. He also noted that approximately 16,000 Iraqis remain in the camp and are awaiting repatriation.
Speaking at the Third Conference for the Celebration of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, held in Baghdad with UN and German support, al-Araji said that Iraq has tackled extremism caused by marginalisation, exclusion, and injustice. He stressed that international cooperation, respect for human rights, and adherence to international laws are key to ensuring security and stability.
On the repatriation efforts, he confirmed that the Iraqi government remains committed to relocating all its citizens from al-Hol camp, integrating them into rehabilitation programmes, and returning them to their home communities. He also urged the international community to support Iraq’s initiative and repatriate their own citizens from al-Hol, which houses people from over 60 nationalities.
Al-Araji reassured that Iraq’s counter-terrorism measures have significantly improved security, stating that “all provinces are now stable, and extremist elements have been reduced to small groups in remote areas, which security forces continue to pursue.”
He also confirmed that 3,000 former IS militants had been transferred from Syrian detention facilities to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior for legal proceedings. “Some were released due to lack of evidence, while others faced prosecution based on available proof,” he explained.
In addition to counter-terrorism efforts, al-Araji reiterated Iraq‘s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Syria. He emphasised that Iraq prioritises “mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and cooperation with neighbouring and friendly nations.”
“We respect the will of the Syrian people and hope for their prosperity. We support the formation of an inclusive government representing all groups and remain optimistic about a brighter future for Syria,” he stated.Â
The repatriation of former IS militants and their families remains a complex and politically sensitive issue. While Iraq has taken the lead in addressing the security risks posed by al-Hol camp, the broader international community still faces difficult decisions regarding the future of thousands of foreign detainees.
