Iraq aims to close Al-Hol camp in Syria

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Araji, confirmed on Tuesday that the strategic goal of the Iraqi government is to close the Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria.

Al-Araji’s remarks took place during his meeting in Baghdad with the Azerbaijani ambassador to Iraq, Nasir Mammadov, where they discussed the political and security situation in the region as well as strategies to enhance cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The Iraqi National Security Advisor emphasized that the Iraqi government is eager to close the refugee camp in Syria because it poses a real threat to international peace.

Al-Araji explained that extremism represents a challenge to countries and people, noting that the international community must make a concerted effort to counter this grave threat.

Mammadov elaborated that Azerbaijan is eager to work with Iraq to share knowledge and experiences to improve international stability, adding that his country has expertise fighting terrorism and money laundering.

The Al-Hol camp is located in the Syrian countryside of Al-Hasakah, near the Iraqi border, and is under the control of the US army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Statistics indicate that the Al-Hol camp accommodates more than 50 thousand people, most of whom are women and children of ISIS militants.

In addition to foreign families of militants, estimated at about 10 thousand people, the camp also shelters families of displaced Syrians and Iraqis, some of whom are still in contact with ISIS.