Halo Younis Karim, a 31-year-old man from Sulaymaniyah’s Sayyid Sadiq district, who died while attempting to reach Europe through Turkey, according to his family.
Kurdish man dies in Turkey during attempt to reach Europe, family says
SULAYMANIYAH — A 31-year-old Kurdish man from Sulaymaniyah’s Said Sadiq district has died while attempting to reach Europe through Turkey, his family said, underscoring the continued dangers facing Iraqis who pursue irregular migration routes.
The man was identified as Halo Younis Karim. A relative, Barham Hassan, told 964media that Karim left about a week ago intending to travel to Europe. “For a week, Halo from Sayyid Sadiq left with the intention of going to Europe,” Hassan said. “Late last night, we received the news of his death, reportedly after he lost his life in the snow in the Turkish city of Sirnak.”
Hassan said Karim was unmarried and had tried to migrate before. “Halo was 31 years old and single. This was his second attempt to go to Europe through Turkey,” he said. “The previous time, his passport was rejected and he was deported back to Kurdistan. This time he left again and lost his life. Until his body is returned to Sayyid Sadiq, no funeral arrangements can be made.”
The death comes as Iraqi officials continue to warn of risks linked to irregular migration, particularly routes passing through Turkey toward Europe. Iraqi diplomatic missions have reported repeated cases involving detention, abuse and deaths among migrants attempting to cross borders illegally.
In December, Iraq’s head of mission to Libya said the Iraqi embassy completed voluntary repatriation procedures for 70 Iraqi migrants who entered Libya illegally and was working to determine the fate of dozens of others. “Networks of smuggling and human trafficking continue to target young Iraqis,” Ahmad al-Sahhaf said, urging families not to expose their children to irregular migration routes.
Libya and Turkey remain key transit points for Iraqi and Kurdish migrants seeking to reach Europe, despite tighter enforcement and frequent interceptions. Iraqi officials have repeatedly said irregular routes carry severe threats to life, including exploitation, harsh detention conditions and deaths during dangerous crossings in extreme weather.