Syrian refugees in Iraq unable to return home due to presence of YPG/PKK terror group

DUHOK, Iraq (AA) - Syrians, who fled the areas under the control of the PKK/YPG/PYD terror group and took refuge in camps in various cities in the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government, are unable to return to their homes due to the presence of the terror group in their homeland.

A total of 29,191 Syrian refugees reside in the Domiz refugee camp in the Duhok region.

Speaking to Anadolu on the occasion of World Refugee Day, which is marked every year on June 20 by the UN, Syrian refugees said they have been longing to return to their homes.

Abdurrahman Haydar Recep, a 62-year-old Syrian refugee, said: "Living as a refugee is very difficult and we want it to end now. We want conditions in Syria to normalize and we want to return to our lands."

Adnan Khalid Muhammed, a 36-year-old refugee said: "We cannot return due to the internal turmoil in our country. We would love to return, but unfortunately, it is not possible. I have not been there for 10 years."

Ibrahim Khalil Kalo, 41, who came to Duhok from Syria’s Qamishli province said that he has been living away from his home for years.

Kalo said that for 11 years, he has not seen his parents who have been staying in Syria.

The PKK/YPG/PYD terrorist organization, which receives weapons and training support from the US, occupies a quarter of Syrian territory.

The terrorists, which show presence in the regions east of the Euphrates, also control the Manbij and Tal Rifat districts.