Al-Fassel | 2025-11-28

The sprawling camps of al-Hol and Roj in northeast Syria once housed over 70,000 displaced persons at their peak in 2019.

Today, that number has fallen below 30,000, thanks to ongoing repatriation efforts led by coalition forces.

These camps, however, remain hotspots for extremist influence, particularly among vulnerable women and children.

Repatriating displaced people is not merely an act of compassion, it is a strategic move to dismantle ISIS's ability to radicalize and recruit.

Breeding grounds for radicalization

Vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children, are targeted by ISIS as potential recruits or indoctrinated into extremist beliefs.

Left unchecked, these environments become incubators for future generations of radicalized individuals.

As Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), emphasized during a United Nations conference, "Repatriating vulnerable populations before they are radicalized is not just compassion, it is a decisive blow against ISIS's ability to regenerate."

Radicalized individuals often become expendable pawns in terror operations, leading to cycles of violence, suffering and death.

By removing individuals from these environments and returning them to their home countries, nations can disrupt ISIS's recruitment pipeline and deny the group a critical source of manpower.

A path to stability and hope

Repatriation offers displaced people a chance to escape the cycle of violence and rebuild their lives.

Coalition forces, along with governments like Iraq, are leading efforts to demonstrate the transformative power of rehabilitation.

Iraq has successfully repatriated 80% of its citizens from al-Hol, showcasing the potential for positive change.

These efforts not only provide immediate relief to individuals but also contribute to long-term global security by undermining ISIS's ability to exploit vulnerable populations.

CENTCOM's establishment of a Joint Repatriation Cell in northeast Syria underscores the urgency of this mission.

As Adm. Cooper stated, "Together, we can ensure the defeat of terror endures as a legacy of peace and stability."

By returning displaced people to their home countries, nations can safeguard the vulnerable, reduce extremist influence and foster a future of hope and resilience.

Repatriation is more than a humanitarian effort; it is a strategic imperative to weaken ISIS and prevent the resurgence of terror.