CENTCOM Urges Countries to Repatriate Displaced Persons and Detainees from Syria

Welat TV – Erbil

The commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has called on nations to repatriate their citizens held in detention centers or displaced in northeastern Syria, during a high-level United Nations conference on September 26 addressing camps and detention sites.

According to a CENTCOM statement released Friday, September 26, 2025, Admiral Brad Cooper delivered remarks at the UN conference titled “Repatriation of Individuals from al-Hol Camp and Surrounding Facilities” at UN headquarters in New York. He urged countries to accelerate the return of their nationals and announced plans to establish a new joint coordination mechanism.

“Earlier this month, I visited Al-Hol camp myself and witnessed the urgent need to accelerate repatriation efforts,” Cooper told attendees. “Progress is being made, but we must double these efforts — together.”

CENTCOM noted that in 2019, Al-Hol and Roj camps hosted nearly 70,000 individuals. Today, that number has dropped to fewer than 30,000. Repatriation, Cooper stressed, is a key way to reduce the influence of extremist groups, particularly on vulnerable women and children.

Creation of a Joint Repatriation

Cell Cooper announced the establishment of a dedicated “Joint Repatriation Cell” in northeastern Syria to coordinate the safe return of detainees and displaced persons to their countries of origin. He praised Iraq for repatriating 80% of its citizens from al-Hol, calling Baghdad a regional leader in repatriation efforts.

“Returning vulnerable populations before they are exposed to radicalization is not just a humanitarian duty — it’s a decisive blow against ISIS’ ability to regenerate,” Cooper added. “Today, I join all of you in urging every nation with citizens in Syria to bring them home.”

Cooper’s Visit to Syria and Meeting with Syrian President

Earlier this month, Cooper made a rare trip to Syria, visiting the al-Hol displacement camp and later traveling to Damascus — the first such visit by a CENTCOM commander to the Syrian capital. He met with Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, thanked him for supporting the fight against ISIS, and agreed to hold follow-up meetings.

During the UN conference, Cooper again called on nations to redouble efforts to protect vulnerable populations and deny ISIS any opportunity to reemerge. “The United States will continue to support the coalition and all nations committed to repatriation,”Cooper concluded. “Together, we can ensure that the defeat of terrorism becomes a lasting legacy of peace and stability.”