Baghdad, Iraq – Iraq announced on Sunday it has repatriated 15,000 of its nationals from the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria as part of a broader effort to close the file on external displacement and reintegrate returnees into society.
The Al-Hol camp, located in Syria’s Hasakah province and administered by the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration, has long held thousands of Iraqis, many of whom fled the Islamic State (ISIS) conflict. The population includes families of suspected militants and vulnerable civilians.
According to Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displacement, 10,000 returnees have already resettled in their areas of origin after completing rehabilitation programs. The remaining 5,000 are currently housed in Al-Jadaa camp, south of Mosul, where they are undergoing psychological, social, and security vetting before their eventual return.
Deputy Migration Minister Karim Al-Nouri told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the repatriation process is carried out in coordination with international organizations and that early indicators suggest a “successful reintegration” of those who have completed the program.
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Al-Nouri added that the progress has encouraged the ministry to accelerate transfers from Al-Hol, though he confirmed that around 18,000 Iraqis remain in the camp and will be returned in phases as conditions and security checks permit.
The Iraqi government has reiterated its intention to gradually close the Al-Jadaa camp once all rehabilitation activities are completed. Authorities have urged families who have cleared security procedures to return home and contribute to community stability.
In February, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria said it had released 167 Iraqi families (618 individuals) from Al-Hol in one of several waves of departures coordinated with Baghdad. A prior batch included 155 families comprising 569 individuals.
The Al-Hol camp has drawn international concern over deteriorating conditions, radicalization risks, and long-term detention of non-combatants. The Iraqi government, in partnership with international actors, has increasingly emphasized reintegration, security vetting, and reconciliation as part of its approach to the complex legacy of ISIS-era displacement.
