Latest news with #MinistryofMigrationandDisplacement
Shafaq News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Hol Camp: Over 15000 transferred to Nineveh
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement announced that thousands of people have been transferred from Syria's Al-Hol camp to Iraq. Ali Abbas Jahankiz, a spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed to Shafaq News that more than 15,000 Iraqis have been relocated from Al-Hol to the Al-Jad'ah camp in Nineveh, with the majority being women and children. He also noted that over 12,600 individuals remain in Al-Hol, awaiting their transfer to Iraq in scheduled batches. "The transfer schedule is determined by the authorities managing Al-Hol camp," Jahankiz stated. Since 2021, the Iraqi government, in cooperation with international organizations, has been working to repatriate Iraqi families from the camp. These families are then sent to the Al-Jad'ah camp for social and psychological rehabilitation. However, the process has faced ongoing objections from local communities, particularly from families in Nineveh who have lost relatives to ISIS. These families express concerns about the return of the displaced to their areas. Earlier this month, Hussein Al-Amiri, a member of the Iraqi parliament's security and defense committee, confirmed that the repatriation of some Iraqi families from the Al-Hol and Al-Hasakah camps followed an earlier agreement between the Iraqi government and the United Nations. Al-Hol, located in Syria's al-Hasakah province near the Iraqi border, is one of the largest refugee camps and is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The camp houses around 36,000 people, mainly women and children from families of ISIS members. International reports suggest that ISIS continues to use the camp as an informal base for re-recruitment and spreading its ideology.
Rudaw Net
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
More than 90 Yazidi families return to Shingal
Also in Iraq Former Kirkuk governor arrested on corruption charges Remains of 1,700 Kurds recovered over the past 17 years in Iraq: Official Crimean-Congo fever cases rise to 19 in Iraq, two dead Families of Anfal victims demand remains of loved ones from Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - More than 90 Yazidi families have returned to Shingal (Sinjar), their homeland in northern Iraq, the country's migration ministry announced on Monday. The Spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement Ali Jahangir told Rudaw that 92 Yazidi families had returned to Shingal on Sunday, from Chamishko camp in the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province. In June 2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) seized control of large swathes of territory in Iraq's north and west. A little over a month later, in August, the group launched a wide-scale attack against the Yazidi community in Iraq's northern Shingal. During the August 2014 assault, ISIS killed and abducted around 9,900 Yazidis. Recognizing the systematic targeting of the Yazidis as genocidal, the United Nations also reported that up to 200,000 Yazidis were displaced from Shingal, many of whom settled in camps across Dohuk. Jahangir told Rudaw on Monday that 'at the beginning of 2024, there were 31,000 displaced [Shingal] Sinjar families in the Kurdistan Region's camps; however, now 21,000 [Yazidi] families are still there.' According to Jahangir, the migration ministry will provide returning Yazidi families with four million dinars (around $3,000) in financial assistance, as well as some essential household appliances to get by, including a refrigerator, stove, and television. 'Currently, only household appliances are being provided to the returning families, while the financial assistance will be distributed soon, following the approval of the [Iraqi] finance ministry,' he explained. Though more than 10 years have passed since ISIS launched its attack on Shingal, much of the Yazidi community remains displaced. Their return has been hindered by a combination of security concerns, political disputes, and infrastructure and reconstruction challenges. The presence of various armed groups has also created an unstable environment, further deterring many Yazidis from returning.
Rudaw Net
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi court issues arrest warrant for prominent Yazidi activist
Also in Iraq India-Iraq relations 'very strong': Ambassador Iraq inks 24,000 MW electricity deal with US company Iraq to face budget strain as US tariffs trigger oil price drop: Official Iraq announces November 11 as date for key legislative elections A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region -A court in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh has issued an arrest warrant for Murad Ismael, a renowned Yazidi activist, on charges of "insulting" the migration minister. Ismael told Rudaw English on Thursday that he believes the move is politically motivated. A court in Mosul, located in Nineveh province, issued an arrest warrant on March 24 based on a complaint filed by the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement. The ministry accused the prominent Yazidi activist, Murad Ismael, of "insulting" the complainant. Ismael, who hails from the Shingal (Sinjar) district in Nineveh province but is based in the US, told Rudaw English that he had not received any court summons to defend himself before the arrest warrant was issued. He argued that this was a breach of standard procedure, which typically involves at least two additional steps: notifying the individual about the case and requesting their attendance in person. He noted that he was 'surprised by this move by the judiciary. While I have disagreed with the ministry and the minister herself [Evan Faeq Jabro] on several occasions with respect to their failure in the Yazidi IDPs [internally displaced persons] file and have made statements in this regard, I have not crossed the limits of professional criticism,' he stated. 'I believe this is politically motivated on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is an attempt to silence critics, like myself, who expose the many issues this ministry has. I heard unofficially that others are targeted too, but I am not sure about it,' he added. Rudaw English reached out to the federal ministry but has yet to receive a response. Hours after Ismael reported the warrant on X, the Iraqi ministry said in a post on Facebook that the Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani had approved her request to exempt Yazidi women from age and grade requirements for higher education admissions. 'This is considered an important step in supporting their education and integrating them into society,' it noted. However, she has not yet commented on the court ruling. Ismael is the co-founder and president of Sinjar Academy, which describes itself as a US-based non-profit organization and educational institution aiming to provide higher education services to the people of the Yazidi heartland, Shingal. Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF), another Yazidi organization which provides education and other support to Yazidi survivors of the Islamic State (ISIS) atrocities, condemned the arrest warrant, accusing the Iraqi ministry of being 'one of WORST ministries' since 2003. 'Instead of helping internally displaced, they have politicized the process. The Ministry should prepare lawsuits against every #Yezidi #Yazidi activist because we would NEVER let this outrage stand,' it added. In its assault on Shingal in 2014, ISIS militants abducted 6,417 Yazidi women and children, many of whom were subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor. Although the group was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, it continues to pose a security risk. Thousands of Yazidis remain displaced in the Kurdistan Region. Lack of security and basic services in Shingal has discouraged them from returning to their homes. Ismael believes that the arrest warrant is not an isolated event, adding that the minister and 'those of back her' have tried to dominate the Yazidi dossier in the Iraqi government have 'succeeded to a certain degree.' He noted that some people had told him he is being targeted as a 'preemptive move' to prevent him from running in upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for November 11. The activist fears that the ministry's actions could put his life at risk, even if he is not arrested. He explained that "the political and security situation in Sinjar and Iraq, in general, is unstable, and being portrayed as a target of the judiciary can put a person in real danger, especially when critics are already under pressure."
Shafaq News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad pushes for global action on Al-Hol repatriation
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraq called on countries worldwide to repatriate their nationals from Syria's Al-Hol camp. Speaking at a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in Iraq, National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji emphasized the camp's ongoing security and humanitarian concerns, urging governments to expedite repatriation efforts. A statement from the National Security Advisory's office said the meeting included UN representatives, European and Arab ambassadors, international organizations, and officials from Iraq's Ministry of Migration and Displacement. Discussions focused on the impact of the recent US aid suspension on humanitarian operations, particularly on efforts to rehabilitate returnees from Al-Hol and alternative measures to address the funding gap. Al-Araji noted that the Iraqi government made a strategic decision in 2021 to repatriate its citizens from Al-Hol following the defeat of ISIS, despite significant challenges, commending the Global Coalition's cooperation with Iraq in this effort. "Since 2021, Iraq has relocated families from Al-Hol, and several countries have already followed suit," Al-Araji stated, urging other nations to accelerate the process to facilitate the camp's closure. Iraq has repatriated a significant number of families from the Al-Hol camp in Syria. As of the latest reports, Iraq has repatriated around 2,833 families, totaling approximately 11,000 individuals. He also praised the Ministry of Migration and Displacement's role in handling the repatriation process and acknowledged the efforts of countries that have withdrawn their citizens from the camp.
Iraqi News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
NSA discusses suspending US support for humanitarian organizations
Baghdad - INA National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji discussed, today, Thursday, the file of suspending US support for humanitarian organizations, during a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in the capital, Baghdad, while calling on those who have citizens from countries in Al-Hol camp to expedite their withdrawal in preparation for closing the camp. A statement issued by the media office of the National Security Advisor - received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) - said: "Al-Araji participated, today, Thursday, in a meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in Iraq in the presence of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and ambassadors of the European Union countries, Arab countries, international organizations operating in Iraq, a representative of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, and general managers." He added, "The meeting discussed the challenges indicated by the United Nations mission in Iraq after the decision to suspend US support for humanitarian organizations and its repercussions on the work of organizations in the Al-Amal Center for Psychological and Community Rehabilitation, as well as the government's decision to rehabilitate the Al-Jadaa Center for Iraqi families coming from Al-Hol camp. The work steps and plans to compensate for the suspension of support for humanitarian organizations were also reviewed." Al-Araji stressed during the meeting - according to the statement - that "the Iraqi government, after completing the mission of fighting the terrorist organization ISIS, made a strategic decision in 2021 to transfer citizens from the Syrian Al-Hawl camp, and there were difficulties, but the Iraqi government insisted on that," praising the cooperation and role of the international coalition with Iraq in this field. He explained that "Iraq has been continuing to transfer families since 2021, and many countries have withdrawn their citizens from Al-Hawl camp," calling on the rest of the countries to withdraw their citizens in preparation for closing the camp. Al-Araji also praised the role of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement in dealing with this file, appreciating the role of the countries that have withdrawn their citizens from the camp.
