US Central Command says Iraq’s repatriation of citizens from Syria marks turning point

BAGHDAD — U.S. Central Command on Friday praised Iraq’s efforts to repatriate more than 25,000 citizens from Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps in northeast Syria, calling it a turning point in confronting the legacy of the Islamic State group and a reflection of the shared commitment between Baghdad and Washington to dismantle extremism and prevent the recycling of terrorism.

“In 2024 alone, Iraq doubled the pace of repatriation operations by 165% compared to the previous year, resulting in the return of nearly 80% of its nationals in the camps, a decisive step on the path to restoring national security,” the command said in a statement.

“The acceleration of the Iraqi government’s efforts to repatriate more than 25,000 citizens from camps in Syria highlights its steadfast commitment to the sustainable defeat of ISIS and to restoring stability in the region,” the statement read.

It added that Iraq’s increased efforts represented “a decisive shift toward more urgent and coordinated action.” According to the statement, the rise in repatriations has reduced the risk of extremist recruitment and closed “a critical chapter of the aftermath of ISIS’s battlefield defeat.”

“These achievements are evidence of Iraq’s central role as a partner with U.S. Central Command and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS,” the command said. “Together, these efforts enhance Iraq’s national security while also supporting regional stability, ensuring a safer and more stable future for all.”

Thousands of former ISIS members and their relatives remain under the Syrian Democratic Forces’ custody in northeastern Syria, scattered among detention centers and displacement camps such as Al-Hol and Al-Roj. The SDF, backed by the United States, has repeatedly urged countries to assume responsibility for their nationals. However, logistical hurdles, large numbers of detainees, and their complex backgrounds have made the process of repatriation both difficult and prolonged.

In January 2025, the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement said that 148 Iraqi families had been transferred from Al-Hol Camp in Syria to the Jada’a Camp in southern Mosul after security checks. The families, mainly women and children, were set to take part in psychological and social support programs before returning to their original communities.