
Iraq repatriates over 180 families from Syria's al-Hol camp
Shafaq News/ Over 180 Iraqi families were repatriated from Syria's al-Hol camp to Iraq's Nineveh province on Saturday, in the latest phase of Baghdad's ongoing return program.
The transfer, which included 186 families of 681 individuals, marked the seventh repatriation operation since the start of 2025 and the 24th overall, according to Shukri al-Hajji, head of the camp's departure office. 'This year's goal is to return all Iraqi families willing to go back, in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Administration and the Iraqi government,' he told Shafaq News.
Roughly 20 buses transported the group through the al-Yarubiyah border crossing, east of al-Hasakah. The convoy was accompanied by tight security, including surveillance and air support from US Global Coalition helicopters and fighter jets to ensure safe passage.
Ali Abdullah, head of Iraq's National Committee for Implementing the Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism, said last week that al-Hol still houses approximately 16,000 Iraqis, noting that Iraq's al-Jada'a camp continues to receive returnees, and authorities are working to support their reintegration.
Iraq has been working with international organizations since 2021 to return its citizens from al-Hol. Families are first brought to the al-Jada'a camp for psychological and social rehabilitation before returning to their home communities — a process that has triggered recurring opposition, particularly in Nineveh, where families of ISIS victims have expressedconcern.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
an hour ago
- Iraqi News
Los Angeles faces turmoil while Baghdad enjoys growing stability
Baghdad ( – In a striking contrast between East and West, recent events have seen downtown Los Angeles rocked by continuing riots and protests, including anti-ICE rallies, while Baghdad, long known for instability and violence, is now experiencing relative peace and economic recovery. Over the past couple of days, central areas of Los Angeles have seen surges in civil unrest tied to socio-political tensions, resulting in property damage, increased crime reports, and heightened police presence. Businesses in impacted areas of Los Angeles have decreased hours or temporarily closed and boarded their doors, and public safety concerns have grown, attracting attention from both local and international media. Meanwhile, Baghdad is enjoying a period of stability. Daily life in the Iraqi capital is marked by routine activity, increasing public confidence, and visible economic momentum. From the vibrant commercial streets of Karrada to ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Mansour, the city is slowly redefining its image after decades of turmoil. Once avoided by investors and tourists, Baghdad is gradually being seen as a place of resilience and renewal — a contrast to the volatility now seen in some Western cities. The shifting dynamics serve as a reminder that perceptions are not always aligned with current realities.


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US, China strike deal to ease trade curbs
Shafaq News/ The United States and China have reached a preliminary agreement to ease export restrictions and revive their fragile trade truce, US and Chinese officials announced on Wednesday following two days of intensive talks in London. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the outcome as adding "meat on the bones" of the previous Geneva understanding, which had stumbled over China's continued curbs on rare earth exports. Under the new framework, Beijing has agreed to lift export restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets, while Washington will ease some of its recent export controls on sensitive technologies, including semiconductor design software, aircraft, and other goods. Specifics of the mutual rollbacks were not disclosed. 'We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents,' Lutnick said at a late-night press briefing in London. 'If approved, we will then implement the framework.' China's Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang confirmed the agreement in principle, noting that both parties will now present it to their respective leaders for final approval. Notably, Trump's shifting tariff policies had rattled global markets and disrupted supply chains, with the World Bank this week lowering its 2025 global growth forecast to 2.3%, citing instability as a key risk. Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, officials and analysts cautioned that deep disagreements remain unresolved—particularly over Washington's unilateral tariff policies and China's state-supported industrial model. 'They are back to square one,' said Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. 'But that's much better than square zero.' Both sides have until August 10 to finalize a broader accord. Without a deal, tariffs could snap back sharply—rising from around 30% to 145% on US imports from China, and from 10% to 125% on Chinese imports from the US.


Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Yazidi community in Iraq urges to act on UN genocide recommendations
Shafaq News/ Yazidi MP Sherif Suleiman Ali on Wednesday called on Iraq to implement UN recommendations addressing the enduring impact of the 2014 ISIS genocide. His appeal followed a UN Security Council briefing where UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq Mohamed Al Hassan praised Iraq's recognition of Yazidi land rights as a 'significant milestone,' citing over 1,300 ownership letters and nearly 100 title deeds issued this year, while cautioning that paperwork alone won't restore lives, urging a national strategy that includes reparations, security guarantees, and efforts to locate thousands of missing Yazidis from the Sinjar attack. In a statement, Ali endorsed Al Hassan's remarks as an 'accurate' reflection of the crisis, pushing for action beyond symbolic recognition. 'Genocide, abductions, and displacement persist. Many Yazidi women remain missing, and families can't return.' He demanded a comprehensive plan ensuring safe return, legal acknowledgment of losses, compensation, and prosecution of ISIS through specialized courts, emphasizing, 'Justice requires accountability and lasting protection.'