Iraq urges dismantling of al-Hol camp in talks with UN official

BAGHDAD — National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji on Tuesday stressed the need to dismantle the al-Hol camp during talks with a senior United Nations official, citing security risks and Iraq’s experience in rehabilitating and reintegrating returnees.

According to al-Araji’s media office, he met with Claudio Cordone, assistant head of the United Nations Mission in Syria, and congratulated him on assuming his new post. Al-Araji said Iraq “supports the security and stability of sisterly Syria” and emphasized preserving its “unity and sovereignty,” describing Syria as “an important state that shares common borders with Iraq.”

He highlighted “the importance of dismantling the al-Hol camp” and said Iraq is ready “to provide its expertise in rehabilitation and reintegration.”

Iraq has stepped up coordination with international partners to push for the dismantling of the camp in northeast Syria, which Iraqi officials describe as a hub for extremist influence and recruitment, particularly among women and children. The Ministry of Migration and Displacement has warned that prolonged isolation inside the camp fuels radicalization and poses a direct threat to regional security.

Officials say more than 20,000 Iraqis have been repatriated from al-Hol so far, with fewer than 4,000 remaining. Returnees are transferred to the Jadaa Community Rehabilitation Center in Nineveh, where they undergo security screening, psychological support and reintegration programs before returning to their home districts.

Iraqi authorities say no security incidents have been recorded in areas that received returnees and that the program has encouraged other countries to begin withdrawing their nationals from the camp.

Full statement:

National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji received on Tuesday the Assistant Head of the United Nations Mission in Syria, Claudio Cordone.

Al-Araji congratulated Cordone on assuming his new duties and wished him success in carrying out his responsibilities.

Al-Araji affirmed that Iraq supports the security and stability of sisterly Syria and stressed the need to preserve its unity and sovereignty, describing it as an important state that shares common borders with Iraq. He also emphasized the importance of dismantling the al-Hol camp and expressed Iraq’s readiness to provide its expertise in rehabilitation and reintegration.

Al-Araji further condemned the terrorist attacks that occurred in Australia, Palmyra and Idlib, stressing the need to eliminate all sources of terrorism in all its forms, particularly human, financial and media resources.

For his part, the Assistant Head of the United Nations Mission in Syria congratulated Iraq on the success of its democratic elections, noting that he will hold meetings with government bodies in Syria in the coming period.