On Friday, August 15, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the return of more than 25,000 Iraqis from camps in northeast Syria housing families of the Islamic State (ISIS).
The region of northeast Syria—covering Raqqa, al-Hasakah, and Deir Ezzor provinces under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—hosts camps sheltering ISIS families, most notably al-Hol and Roj.
In its statement, CENTCOM said the repatriations highlight the Iraqi government’s “firm commitment” to achieving the enduring defeat of ISIS and restoring stability in the region.
The command noted that the number of Iraqis returning from al-Hol and Roj camps increased by 165% year-on-year, describing the shift as a “decisive” move toward more “urgent and coordinated” action.
This surge in repatriations has resulted in 80% of the Iraqis who previously resided in al-Hol—home to the largest concentration of refugees—being returned, according to CENTCOM.
It described the “achievement” as a significant step toward reducing the potential for extremist recruitment and closing a key chapter in the aftermath of ISIS’s territorial defeat.
Efforts to close al-Hol camp
Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Migration and Displacement, Karim al-Nouri, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on August 6 that more than 15,000 Iraqis had returned from al-Hol after their files were vetted by security authorities, with no recorded security breaches.
He added that around 6,000 Iraqis remain in the camp awaiting repatriation, noting that there are international efforts to shut down the facility “as soon as possible.”
Al-Nouri explained that al-Hol once hosted more than 70,000 people of various nationalities, including over 30,000 Iraqis, while today only around 10,000 Iraqis remain.
He said Iraq faced only two choices: leaving them “at the mercy of ISIS as ticking time bombs,” or bringing them back under carefully designed programs separating victims from perpetrators and reintegrating them into society. He stressed that the government opted for the second path with “courage and responsibility.”
According to the deputy minister, the process is being carried out in cooperation with international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the community rehabilitation center at al-Jada’a camp in Iraq.
Agreement brokered by Washington
The Autonomous Administration, the governing body in SDF-held areas, regularly announces the release of groups from al-Hol and Roj camps, peaking last April.
According to al-Araby al-Jadeed, Iraqi sources confirmed that an agreement was reached between Baghdad and the SDF, brokered by the U.S.-led international coalition, to accelerate the evacuation of Iraqi families from al-Hol camp.
Yasser Watout, a member of Iraq’s parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, told al-Araby al-Jadeed on July 7 that the deal includes operating two monthly repatriation trips transferring Iraqis from al-Hol to al-Jada’a camp in Nineveh province, after completing security checks.
Watout added that the move aims to speed up the evacuation of Iraqi families from the camp, pointing to “major international efforts” by Iraq to close al-Hol and repatriate all foreign nationals.
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