New York – SANA
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), affirmed that the repatriation of citizens detained and displaced in Syria’s al-Hawl camp by their respective countries represents a critical strategic step in countering ISIS and preventing its resurgence.
He emphasized that this process goes beyond humanitarian concerns, carrying significant security and strategic dimensions, noting that protecting vulnerable groups from the threat of radicalization is a shared priority.
Speaking at a conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the repatriation of individuals from al-Hawl and surrounding centers, Cooper urged nations concerned nationsto intensify their efforts and accelerate the pace of repatriation.
He stated that his recent visit to the camp revealed an urgent need to expedite these operations. Cooper pointed out that the number of detainees in al-Hawl and Roj camps has dropped from around 70,000 in 2019 to fewer than 30,000 today, noting that reducing this number helps limit the influence of extremist groups, especially on women and children.
International relief organizations agree that al-Hawl camp constitutes a troubling humanitarian hotspot requiring immediate action, as deteriorating living conditions threaten the lives of thousands of women and children daily.
Given this reality, repatriating detainees to their home countries remains the most effective path to breaking the cycle of extremism and suffering, and to enhancing security and stability in the region.
