All countries with citizens held in Syria's Al Hol camp for suspected ISIS members and their families must do more to repatriate them, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said during a visit to Iraq on Thursday.
His remarks came on a tour of Jeddah-I camp outside the northern city of Mosul, where hundreds of Iraqi families have been transferred from Al Hol since May 2021. His trip came only days after the US military said Iraq had repatriated 500 people from Al Hol to Jeddah-I.
His statements echoed Iraq's demands to foreign governments to repatriate their citizens from the camp so that it can be dismantled due to security concerns.
Kurdish officials who administer the camp — in north-eastern Syrian, fewer than 10km from the Iraqi border — also describe it as a security risk and have urged the international community to do more.
Outside Jeddah-I, Mr Guterres said: “From here, I want to send a message to all member states that have nationals in Al Hol and elsewhere. All members states must significantly step up their efforts to facilitate the safe and dignified repatriation of their nationals."
Al Hol houses more than 50,000 people, including Syrians, Iraqis and other citizens who fled ISIS-held areas as the extremists faced an onslaught from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in 2019.
Some of them are family members of suspected ISIS militants, others displaced Syrians and Iraqi refugees. They are either banned from leaving the tented city by the Kurdish forces or have nowhere else to go.
Shamima Begum, who left her east London home to join ISIS in Syria aged 15 and is now held in Al Hol, lost her appeal last week against the UK government's move to strip her citizenship and bar her from returning to Britain.
The largest camp for displaced people left over from the war with ISIS has become one of the most problematic humanitarian issues in the region.
Mr Guterres said nearly half of Al Hol’s population are under the age of 12 and are “deprived of their rights, vulnerable and marginalised — they are trapped in a desperate situation with no end in sight”.
He described it as the “worst camp that exists in today’s world … with the worst possible conditions for people and with enormous suffering for the people that have been stranded there for years".
“So they deserve a path out," he added. "This is a matter of human decency and compassion — and it is a matter of security."
The UN chief, who started his official visit to Iraq on Wednesday, said: "The longer we let this untenable situation fester, the more resentment and despair will grow, and the greater the risks to security and stability.
“We must prevent the legacy of yesterday’s fight from fuelling tomorrow’s conflict.”
Since 2021, Iraq has repatriated hundreds of families from Al Hol to Jeddah-I for rehabilitation before they are reintegrated into society.
Mr Guterres commended the Iraqi government "for its efforts, which are an example for the world".
"I recognise this is an extremely complex, challenging and sensitive issue but I encourage the government to continue working towards the accelerated, community-based reintegration of residents here, most of whom are under the age of 18," he continued.
In mid-2014, ISIS overran large parts of Iraq and Syria, declaring a caliphate in occupied territory.
Backed by a US-led international coalition, Iraq announced victory against ISIS in late 2017 after three years of gruelling fighting that left many of the occupied cities in ruins.
However, the terrorist group's cells continue to mount hit-and-run attacks, particularly in vast desert regions of northern and western Iraq near the border with Syria.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
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Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
Points classification after Stage 4
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Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
The Good Liar
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
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Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
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- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
