In northeastern Syria, Moroccan women and children in camps like Al-Hol and Roj live in fear, facing severe hardships as their repatriation efforts falter. With 476 Moroccans stranded, including over 100 women and 285 children, concerns escalate regarding their safety and legal status. Negotiations for their return remain complicated, influenced by security fears and political dynamics within the region. Activists highlight the urgent need for repatriation to prevent further radicalization and to address humanitarian issues.
In the Al-Hol and Roj displacement camps in northeastern Syria, a dire situation exists for Moroccan women and children who are caught in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. They face severe malnutrition and a lack of legal status, compounded by stalled repatriation efforts following the Assad regime’s decline. One woman expressed her concerns to activists, noting, “We don’t sleep at night; if fighting erupts, we’re all going to die.”
Currently, 476 Moroccans remain trapped in Syria, including 103 women and 285 children. The camps house a total of around 8,000 people from various nationalities, many of whom are linked to IS fighters. The fate of approximately 88 Moroccan men imprisoned in Syria is also precarious; their families are left wondering about their wellbeing, as voiced by Abdelaziz al-Baqali from the coordination group, who stated, “We don’t know if they are alive or dead.”
The movement of Moroccan nationals to Syria began in 2011, with many drawn by radical ideologies or desperate circumstances such as unemployment. Initial arrivals were recorded as early as 2012, with the Moroccan Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations identifying 1,659 Moroccans having traveled to conflict zones, of whom 745 perished. Repatriation efforts remain complex due to ongoing political and security risks.
Currently, negotiations regarding the return of detainees remain intricate, as many individuals are held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Despite a recent thaw in relations between Morocco and Syria, negotiations regarding Moroccan detainees are progressing slowly, with families expressing frustration over inaction. The Moroccan Committee for Stranded Moroccans in Syria and Iraq reported, “Whenever we contact Moroccan authorities, they say they are looking into their file. But nothing tangible yet.”
In Iraq, nine Moroccan prisoners report encountering appalling conditions, including allegations of torture. The situation for returnees from Iraq is similarly grim, as they lack documented proof of their incarceration, leading to significant reintegration challenges. Post-release individuals often remain isolated, a created space largely devoid of any official recognition of their imprisonment.
Morocco’s apprehensions regarding security are pivotal in its hesitancy to repatriate citizens, especially following recent arrests linked to IS. Officials fear that returning individuals could pose significant risks to national safety. Human rights groups caution that failure to repatriate could exacerbate extremism, arguing that neglect could foster new resentments and radicalization among displaced families.
The conditions in the camps are alarming, with rampant malnutrition and little access to education for children. Many children remain uneducated, having never attended school, as highlighted by activists revealing that children as young as nine have missed critical educational opportunities. Family members fear the violence in the region and call on Moroccan authorities to prioritize their repatriation.
The Moroccan Coordination for Stranded Moroccans in Syria and Iraq insists that the ongoing plight of these families is urgent, stating that “the Syrian file is a ticking time bomb and Morocco has to prioritize it.” They advocate for bringing these families home and ensuring fair treatment under Moroccan law.
The plight of stranded Moroccan families in Syria compels urgent attention from authorities, given the dire living conditions and the complex nature of their repatriation. Negotiations remain fraught with challenges, both politically and in security terms, as the ongoing violence and stigma surrounding returning citizens pose significant hurdles. The well-being of these families, particularly that of the children, hangs in the balance as Morocco grapples with reconciling security concerns with humanitarian responsibilities.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
