Iraq and KRG to draft plan for returning IDPs to areas of origin

SULAYMANIYAH – Iraq’s Minister of Migration and Displacement, Ivan Faiq Jabro, announced that a federal government delegation met with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Interior, Rebar Ahmed, to draft a joint plan for the return of internally displaced persons residing in Kurdistan to their original homes in other parts of Iraq.

Visiting the Arbat Camp for IDPs in Sulaymaniyah governorate, Jabro told 964media, “I cannot discuss the specifics of the plan as it has not been finalized yet,” but added that it will be announced on the ministry’s website once completed. She stated that there are currently 22,000 IDPs living outside camps in Sulaymaniyah, and the federal government will assist those who wish to return to their home areas.

Earlier today, Jabro announced that all IDP camps in Sulaymaniyah governorate were closed and all camp-residing IDPs, except for those from the Sunni-majority town of Jurf Al-Sakhr in Babil governorate, have returned home. Jurf Al-Sakhr is under the control of pro-Iran Shia armed factions, who prevent the return of local Sunnis, accusing them of collaborating with the Islamic State during the group’s reign in the area.

Jabro also noted that her ministry has been unable to close IDP camps in Erbil and Duhok governorates. The federal government has set the end of July as the deadline to close all IDP camps and return residents to their original homes, a move the KRG has repeatedly objected to, citing unfavorable security and livelihood conditions in many IDPs’ home areas.