The Iraqi government is considering suspending the repatriation of its nationals linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) from al-Hol camp in northeast Syria due to a lack of funds following the suspension of U.S. foreign aid, a ministry official told Rudaw on Saturday.

Ali Abbas, spokesperson for the Migration and Displaced Ministry, stated that financial constraints are affecting operations at al-Jada camp in Nineveh province, where repatriated individuals are processed for reintegration into their communities.

The budget shortfall arises because organizations operating at al-Jada camp rely heavily on funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Abbas explained. The temporary suspension of USAID funding by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a broader government reorganization has exacerbated the financial difficulties.

“The migration and displaced ministry does not have the necessary funds to run the camp,” Abbas said. However, discussions are ongoing to possibly reallocate funds from other government sectors to continue operations.

Thousands Remain at al-Hol Camp

According to the latest ministry statistics, more than 20,000 Iraqis, including women and children, remain in al-Hol camp. Baghdad had set a target to complete the repatriation process by 2027.

Al-Hol camp houses approximately 40,000 individuals with alleged ties to ISIS, primarily Iraqis and Syrians. The camp has been labeled a potential breeding ground for terrorism due to its conditions and the radical ideologies of some of its inhabitants.

Public Opposition to Repatriation

The Iraqi government’s repatriation efforts have faced opposition from local communities and tribal leaders who are unwilling to accept individuals with links to ISIS. The extremist group was responsible for severe human rights abuses and war crimes in Iraq between 2014 and 2017, when it controlled large territories.

Despite these concerns, Iraq has continued its repatriation process. On Sunday, the government repatriated 155 families from al-Hol.

The potential suspension of repatriations raises concerns about the fate of thousands still stranded in the camp and the broader implications for security and humanitarian conditions in the region. Further government deliberations are expected in the coming weeks.