Iraq Relocates Over 2,800 Families from Syria’s Al-Hol Camp
'Thoroughly verified'
Iraq transfers 2,833 families from notorious Al-Hol camp
BAGHDAD — Iraq has transferred 2,833 Iraqi families from Syria’s Al-Hol camp to Al-Jadaa camp and the Al-Amal Center for Psychological Rehabilitation and Social Integration in Mosul, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement announced.
Deputy Minister Karim Al-Nouri said the ministry facilitated 18 transfers from Al-Hol to Al-Jadaa from last year until the beginning of this year. “The number of families in each group varied, bringing the total to 2,833 families, or approximately 11,000 individuals,” he told Al-Sabah.
Al-Nouri noted that most countries have repatriated their nationals from Al-Hol, describing the camp as a security risk to Iraq, the region, and the world. He emphasized that all returnees underwent strict security screenings, adding, “No individuals were found to have any links to terrorism, as their identities and documents were thoroughly verified.”
The Al-Amal Center, which is affiliated with Al-Jadaa camp, provides psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration programs for displaced families, particularly those returning from Al-Hol. Al-Nouri said 18 international organizations, along with the National Security Advisory and relevant ministries, are involved in managing the center’s operations.
Thousands of ISIS detainees, including fighters and their families, remain in custody of the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria. They are housed in detention centers and displacement camps, including Al-Hol and Al-Roj. Many are Iraqi nationals — women and children among them — who either fled or were captured as the ISIS caliphate collapsed in 2019.
Al-Hol has gained global attention for its poor humanitarian conditions and security risks. The camp holds more than 50,000 people, most of them women and children, including thousands of Iraqis caught in a cycle of displacement, documentation issues, and uncertainty over repatriation.
The SDF has repeatedly called on countries, including Iraq, to take responsibility for their citizens held in these facilities. However, the sheer number of detainees, their diverse backgrounds, and the logistical challenges continue to pose difficulties for local authorities and the international community.