Iraq repatriates 50 IS terrorists and 168 family members from Syria

Iraq has repatriated 50 Islamic State militants and 168 of their Iraqi family members from Syria. This is part of the country's ongoing efforts to address the issue of Iraqi-born terrorists imprisoned in Syria.

According to AFP, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) handed over the prisoners and their families to the Iraqi authorities. Upon arrival, the repatriated persons will be investigated and face trial in Iraq. According to the Syrian Human Rights Organization, the prisoners were held in Hasakah, a province in north-eastern Syria known for actively countering ISIS. 

In addition to IS members, the repatriation efforts also included 168 of their relatives   who were relocated from the Syrian al-Hawl camp to the al-Jadaa camp south of Iraqi Mosul. Iraqi authorities say these women and children will receive psychiatric treatment as part of a rehabilitation process and will only be sent back to their hometowns after they receive assurances from their tribal leaders that they will not be subjected to any reprisals and will be able to reintegrate into society.

About 50,000 people are being held under SDF control, including family members of terrorist suspects, in the al-Hawl camp in north-eastern Syria. The camp's residents comprise displaced Syrians, Iraqi refugees and over 10,000 foreigners from some 60 countries.

Discussing the situation in the camp in March this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for rapid repatriation of foreign nationals from al-Hawl and the humanitarian concerns associated with lengthy detention.