Dozens of Iraqi families are beginning their journey home after enduring years of hardship in Syria’s notorious Al-Hol camp, with their first stop being the Amal Camp (formerly Al-Jada’a) south of Mosul. The camp serves as a transitional center where returnees undergo security checks and psychological rehabilitation before reintegrating into their communities.

For many, crossing the border into Iraq feels like a rebirth. "As soon as I stepped onto Iraqi soil and breathed the air, I felt my soul return to me. I knelt down and prayed," said Saida Hussein, 54, one of the returnees.

Al-Hol camp, located in northeastern Syria, became a sprawling tent city housing thousands of displaced people—mostly women and children—following the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019. Many Iraqi families lived there under dire conditions, facing extreme weather, overcrowding, and constant fear of violence.

Upon arrival in Iraq, authorities hold returnees in Amal Camp for weeks or even months for security screenings and what officials describe as "psychological rehabilitation." The process aims to prepare them for reintegration after years of trauma.

"Life in Al-Hol was unbearable—scorching heat, freezing cold, and constant fear. Most families just want to go home," said Rana, an Iraqi woman who recently returned.

Another returnee, a 30-year-old woman who wished to remain anonymous, contrasted her experience in the two camps: "Here, we finally feel safe. In Al-Hol, it was like being buried alive."

The Iraqi government has been gradually repatriating its citizens from Al-Hol, balancing security concerns with humanitarian needs. Officials emphasize that the Amal Camp’s rehabilitation programs are crucial for helping returnees—especially women and children—readjust to society.

While challenges remain, including social stigma and lingering security risks, the returnees express relief at being back on Iraqi soil. For them, Amal Camp represents not just a temporary stop, but the first step toward reclaiming their lives.