Baghdad, Iraq- The United States’ decision to reduce humanitarian aid has slowed Iraq’s efforts to repatriate its citizens from Syria’s Al-Hol camp, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji said on Wednesday.
Iraq aims to transfer all its nationals from the camp to a facility within the country, but the project still requires extensive support from international organizations. According to Araji, the primary challenge is the suspension of aid to these groups, which Iraq cannot address alone.
Kurdish-run camps and prisons in northeastern Syria house around 56,000 displaced individuals, many with alleged ties to the Islamic State (IS). Al-Hol, the largest of these camps, holds over 40,000 detainees from 47 countries, living in dire conditions. Since 2021, more than 13,000 Iraqis have left the camp, yet about 16,000 remain.
International aid organizations have played a key role in assisting camp residents, with Iraq receiving substantial US aid in recent years. However, after assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid, followed by a 92% reduction in multi-year contracts. Araji stated that without these cuts, full repatriation by the end of 2025 would have been possible.
Additionally, Araji urged Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to advance their peace negotiations and withdraw from Iraq. The PKK maintains bases in northern Iraq, where Turkish forces have also established military positions. Araji emphasized that Iraq seeks the departure of both groups, reiterating Turkey’s past assurances that it holds no territorial ambitions in Iraq.
