Iraq repatriates over 800 citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp
On Thursday, Iraq repatriated more than 800 of its citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp in the latest phase of a coordinated return effort, according to a senior camp official.
Shukri al-Hajji, Head of the camp's Departure Office, told Shafaq News that the group included 233 families totaling 812 people, transferred under heavy protection by the Global Coalition, noting that returns are coordinated between the Iraqi government and the Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria.
This marks the 11th repatriation of the year and the 28th since Iraq began retrieving its nationals from the facility in 2021. Earlier waves saw 935 returns in June and 865 in April, bringing the total number of repatriated Iraqis to 15,000. Of those, 10,000 have been reintegrated into their home communities, while around 5,000 remain in rehabilitation programs at al-Jadaa camp near Mosul.
Returnees are temporarily housed and processed at al-Jadaa before rejoining society. However, the program has faced opposition in areas like Nineveh, where some residents have raised concerns over the return of families linked to ISIS.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
36 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
US rejects Iraq-Iran security pact
Shafaq News – Washington The US State Department rejected on Tuesday a recent security memorandum of understanding signed between Iraq and Iran, expressing opposition to any legislation that conflicts with US goals and efforts to strengthen Iraq's security institutions. Earlier this week, a security agreement was signed in a ceremony overseen by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, involving Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji and Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. At a press briefing attended by Shafaq News in Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on the memorandum, emphasizing, 'We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into a client state of Iran.' Highlighting that the United States has been clear about the principle that the future of nations should be determined by their own people, she noted the agreement 'runs counter to what we seek.' These statements come at a time of heightened political maneuvering in Baghdad, as US officials are pressing the Iraqi government not to approve the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority law, which would formalize and expand the powers of the paramilitary coalition that includes several Iran-aligned factions.
Shafaq News
37 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Security briefing: Airstrikes, arrests, and tragedy mark Iraq's day
Shafaq News Below is a summary of key security incidents reported across Iraq on August 12, 2025. Airstrike on ISIS Hideouts (Kirkuk) The Iraqi Air Force launched a precision airstrike targeting ISIS positions in Wadi al-Shay, south of Kirkuk. The strike followed intelligence on militant movements and destroyed several operational sites. Foreign Nationals Detained with Military Gear (Babil) Security forces arrested a group of Pakistani nationals walking among Arbaeen pilgrims in Al-Kifl. They were found with PMF-branded military uniforms and images showing them carrying medium weapons and riding in military vehicles abroad. Counter-Terrorism Sweep Nets 11 Suspects (Nationwide) Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service arrested 11 ISIS suspects in a series of coordinated raids across Nineveh, Kirkuk, Saladin, and al-Sulaymaniyah. Forces destroyed multiple hideouts, tunnels, and caves used for storing explosives. The operations were supported by army aviation and Kurdish Asayish units. Arbaeen Pilgrimage Crash Kills Five (al-Diwaniyah) A traffic accident on the al-Diwaniyah–Afak road left five dead and 23 injured. Among the victims were two sons of MP Karim Aliwi, head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee. The crash occurred when a tire burst, causing the vehicle to collide with a passenger bus.
Iraqi News
3 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi forces arrest 11 terrorists, destroy hideouts
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) revealed on Tuesday that it arrested 11 persons on terrorist charges and destroyed hideouts, tunnels, and caves across several provinces in collaboration with the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) and security agencies in Iraqi Kurdistan. The CTS mentioned that security forces carried out important operations as part of continuing national efforts to pursue the remnants of the terrorist group ISIS, resulting in arrests and establishing security in multiple locations. Five individuals were apprehended in separate operations in Nineveh, while four others have been arrested in different parts of Kirkuk. Another suspect was arrested in Sulaymaniyah in collaboration with local security forces, and another in Salah al-Din. The operations in Nineveh were supported by army aviation and destroyed seven hideouts. Iraqi forces also discovered and destroyed three hideouts, three tunnels, and an explosives-filled cave in the same province. Security forces in Salah al-Din managed to find and eliminate 13 hideouts, destroy three tunnels, and collect different types of ammunition and explosive devices. In 2014, the terrorist group ISIS seized control of significant regions in Iraq and Syria, remaining dominant until their defeat in 2017. Over five million Iraqis had to flee the governorates of Nineveh, Salah al-Din, parts of Kirkuk, Diyala, and Anbar because of ISIS control over these areas in 2014. Iraq announced in late 2017 the liberation of all its territories from the grip of ISIS, but the authorities are constantly launching security operations to pursue remnants of the terrorist group.
