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600,000 Displaced Families Return Home in Iraq

Experts clearing ISIS mines in the old city of Mosul (Reuters)
Experts clearing ISIS mines in the old city of Mosul (Reuters)
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600,000 Displaced Families Return Home in Iraq

Experts clearing ISIS mines in the old city of Mosul (Reuters)
Experts clearing ISIS mines in the old city of Mosul (Reuters)

Displacement in Iraq still constitutes a challenge for the authorities in Baghdad, Kurdistan, and international organizations even after five years of the military defeat of ISIS.

The Ministry of Migration and Displacement spokesman, Ali Abbas Jahakir, asserts that the total number of displaced families has reached 900,000, adding that about 600,000 of them have returned home.

Jahakir told Asharq Al-Awsat that there are 26 displacement camps distributed over the governorates of the Kurdistan region, with 16 in Dohuk, six in Erbil, four in Sulaymaniyah, and one in al-Jada, in addition to a rehabilitation center in Mosul.

He added that the total number of families living in these camps is 37,000, totaling 170,000 citizens of all ages.

Jahakir stated that the official data confirmed by the Ministry of Immigration indicates 900,000 families had escaped conflict areas in the western and northern governorates after the rise of ISIS in June 2014.

He said that 600,000 families have already returned to their towns, noting that the remaining figure of 300,000 families is inaccurate, because many of them, especially the Yazidi, Turkmen, Shabak, and Christian minorities, left the country.

The spokesman said many returnees did not register their official return for various reasons.

Earlier, the Ministry of Immigration refused to force the displaced to return to their homes and gave them the choice of staying in camps.

Despite the living conditions in the camps, most of the displaced preferred to stay for fear of reprisals or lack of job opportunities in their hometowns. Some also still don't have homes.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) confirmed that it had helped five million displaced Iraqis return home."

The Program's resident representative in Iraq, Zena Ali-Ahmed, told the Iraqi News Agency that Iraq has gone through several crises and wars, and the UNDP launched the project to restore stability in the liberated areas with the support of the local government in five governorates.

She indicated that 30 donor countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, participated in the efforts to ensure the security of the liberated areas.

Ali-Ahmed added that part of the project aims to coordinate with the demining units of the military force, asserting that rehabilitating the infrastructure cannot take place without removing mines.

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German Foreign Ministry Backs Kurdish Dialogue with Damascus

German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
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German Foreign Ministry Backs Kurdish Dialogue with Damascus

German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)

Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Foreign Ministry Tobias Tunkel said that protecting the rights and interests of Syrian Kurds can be best achieved through an internal dialogue with Damascus.

His statement followed a recent meeting between Tunkel and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with officials from the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria.

In a tweet on the X platform on Monday, Tunkel shared a photo of his meeting with Abdi. He indicated that they discussed pressing issues that require resolution through direct communication between the SDF leadership and Damascus’ military operations command.

The meeting is part of broader international efforts to stabilize the region, prevent a devastating war involving regional powers, and promote internal Syrian dialogue. The aim is to ensure the inclusion of all parties, social groups, and political forces to achieve security, stability, economic prosperity, and reconstruction.

Abdi stressed the need for all Syrians, regardless of their backgrounds, to have a role in governing their country.

He praised Germany’s support for the SDF, stating on his X account: “Germany’s support for the Syrian people in building their state on the principles of freedom, democracy, and equality, while ensuring the inclusion of all components in governance, is deeply welcomed and appreciated.”

He also commended Germany’s contribution to the international coalition’s operations against ISIS, stressing: “We highly value Germany’s role in supporting our forces in combating terrorism and extremism, which helps pave the way for a brighter future for all Syrians.”

This visit marks the second official engagement by a Western diplomat this week, following the visit of former US Ambassador Robert Ford and his meeting with SDF leaders.

Discussions are focused on achieving a political resolution and determining the future of the SDF, which is a coalition of Arab and Kurdish forces, primarily the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). The YPG receives military and logistical support from a US-led international coalition and is considered a vital ally in the fight against ISIS by Washington, though Türkiye regards it as a national security threat.

SDF head of Public Relations Sihanouk Dibo described the recent visits by US, German, and French delegations as encouraging. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he emphasized that the Autonomous Administration values any initiative that supports resolving the Kurdish issue in Syria, which he views as fundamental to addressing regional crises and ensuring stability.

“Germany’s supportive role complements Washington’s exceptional efforts, including the success of General Mazloum Abdi’s initiative and his meeting with (former President of the Kurdistan Region) President Masoud Barzani. This is a significant and positive step,” he added.

Dibo also highlighted the importance of dialogue between Damascus and the SDF leadership to restore Syrian sovereignty and resolve disputes. He called for “the formation of specialized and technical committees to address all issues and differences.”

In a related development, the Autonomous Administration called on the Syrian people, the international community, and humanitarian organizations to take action to curb Turkish aggression and stop attacks by its affiliated factions on Tishrin Dam.

In a statement published on its official platforms, it urged the deployment of international forces to protect the dam, warning of catastrophic consequences should it collapse, including the flooding of large populated areas and the destruction of numerous villages along the riverbanks.