At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iraq convened a high-level conference on the al-Hol camp, where tens of thousands of Islamic State members and their families are held. As we continue our effort to repatriate, deradicalize, and rehabilitate the Iraqi citizens among them, we call on other countries to do the same.
Al-Hol camp, located in northeast Syria, remains a fragile and high-risk environment. It houses extremists from nearly 60 countries, many of whom remain committed to the Islamic State and its ideology. As a result, the camp is a breeding ground for radicalization, a humanitarian catastrophe, and a living reminder of the international community’s failure to manage the aftermath of war, terror, and displacement.
Iraq knows this all too well. The scars of the Islamic State’s brutal occupation and reign of terror are still fresh. Although Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared military victory over the Islamic State in 2017, post-conflict communities remain vulnerable to extremism as the government works to rebuild stability and address ongoing gaps in service delivery.
History has shown us what happens when crises such as al-Hol are left unresolved. In Rwanda and Congo, for example, we have seen how neglect and international inaction can turn temporary displacement into permanent security threats that continue to plague the Great Lakes region of Africa.
That is why Iraq is not waiting for others to act. We have taken decisive, often difficult steps to repatriate our citizens from al-Hol through a coordinated process encompassing security, humanitarian, and legal measures. To date, Iraq has repatriated 4,915 families (comprising 18,830 individuals) from al-Hol to the Hope Center in Iraq. Of those, 3,407 families (12,557 individuals) have already been reintegrated into their home communities. We have also received 3,206 detainees from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as part of an intensive national effort to close this painful chapter.
Behind each statistic is a person, a life disrupted by conflict, now part of our collective effort toward rehabilitation and reintegration. Our comprehensive national plan for repatriation includes psychological support, education, vocational training, and community reconciliation, coordinated through four dedicated technical groups involving Iraqi institutions and international partners.
This model offers a replicable framework for other countries facing similar challenges, and Iraq stands ready to provide support in their efforts.
But make no mistake: The al-Hol crisis is not Iraq’s burden—nor Syria’s—alone. It is a global problem. And if mishandled or ignored, its consequences will reverberate far beyond our borders. Some countries have begun repatriating their citizens, but many remain hesitant, citing political or legal barriers. Meanwhile, children grow up in squalid, lawless camps, many radicalized as “ISIS cubs.” Women remain trapped. Extremists plot and recruit. Credible institutions and humanitarian organizations have also reported cases of sexual abuse involving children in the camp. Every delay is an opportunity lost and a risk multiplied.
The United Nations’ high-level conference on al-Hol in late September was an urgent call for collective action, and momentum is building. Partners such as the U.N. Office of Counterterrorism, along with the majority of member states in attendance, welcomed Iraq’s initiative and expressed support for urgent solutions. But goodwill alone is not enough. This momentum must translate into faster, broader action. Those still watching from the sidelines must take their place at the table.
Our objective is clear: close al-Hol and similar camps, stop the resurgence of terrorism, and offer hope and dignity to those who have suffered for too long. We are under no illusion that reintegration and reconciliation are easy or swift. Many affected individuals and communities continue to grapple with wounds that require careful, long-term support to address. But Iraq knows the cost of inaction and is determined not to repeat past mistakes.
To those who stood with us in the fight against the Islamic State, we ask you now to stand with us for lasting peace. Repatriation is a shared responsibility. The world must face this crisis not with fear or apathy, but with resolve and cooperation.
Iraq is doing its part. We call on others to do the same.
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