Iraqi National Security Adviser al-Araji urges repatriation of nationals from Al-Hol Camp in North and East Syria during meeting with Czech Ambassador

AL-HOL, Iraq — During a meeting with Czech Ambassador to Iraq Petr Štěpánek, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji emphasized strengthening bilateral relations and addressed the critical situation at Al-Hol Refugee Camp in North and East Syria.

Al-Araji called on countries to repatriate their nationals from Al-Hol, stressing that it would greatly contribute to the closure of the camp, which poses a significant threat to regional security and stability. Al-Hol is one of the largest refugee camps in the world, housing approximately 42,000 displaced people, including 19,530 Iraqis, 16,779 Syrians, 646 foreigners, and 11 individuals of unknown nationality.

Al-Araji also urged the international community to resolve the ongoing refugee crisis affecting Syrian refugees in Turkey and Lebanon. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Turkey forcibly returned 3,540 Syrian refugees to their country last month, with an additional 840 refugees repatriated last week.

These refugees, including women, children, and the elderly, are being sent to special centers in preparation for their transfer to areas controlled by Turkish-backed forces in Syria. This move is part of Turkey’s plan to alter the demographic composition of North and East Syria. Lebanon is also taking steps to expel Syrian refugees from its territory.