The Sangasar internally displaced persons camp in Sullymania province, Iraq, is home to approximately 500 families from the Quandhil mountain region. The Kurdish Regional Government recently allocated land to move IDPs from these temporary tents to permanent land. Photo by Pvt. Jennifer Montagna

Task Force Marne Deputy Commanding General Support, Brig. Gen. Tom Vandal, has made several visits to internally displaced persons camps in Kurdistan and has met with government officials to assist the families who reside in those camps.

Hundreds of families along Iraq’s borders have taken refuge in internally displaced persons camps throughout the past eight years of conflict. The government of Iraq and the Kurdish regional government are looking for long-term solutions, but currently humanitarian support is being provided by non-military organizations and the KRG.

Camp Sangasar, in Sullymania province, is home to approximately 500 displaced families. Most of the individuals fled their Qandhil Mountain homes due to artillery fire. While their current camp is safe from artillery fire, there is another problem caused by the location of the village; it is located on a flood plain.

“Our engagement with KRG officials following the Sangasar visit was to have the KRG allocate space to move IDPs … which will fix the short-term problem,” said Vandal.

For the camp’s residents, returning to their homes in the near future isn’t a safe option. It is believed by government officials and Vandal that the artillery fire was an attempt to clear the village of civilians and that anyone who remains in the area may be labeled as terrorist suspects.

While families at Camp Sangasar wait until they can make a safe return to their homes, the KRG has donated money and is setting aside land for farming.

Several IDP camps in the Dahuk province are in need of different assistance from their government. The people said their main needs are central services, such as water and electricity. Many families also need help maintaining the condition of their homes. Old Iraqi Army barracks have been turned into housing. Some are falling apart, and others are too small for the numerous families they house.

Like their Camp Sangasar counterparts, the residents of Dahuk province IDP camps feel that they cannot safely return home. According to the Dahuk Director of Displaced Persons, some of the families in these camps were forced there by Saddam Hussein’s Regime. Many fled their home city of Mosul due to terrorist attacks.

“These IDPs only remember the conditions when they departed four or five years ago from Ninewa province when there were around 300 to 400 violent attacks per month. Now, attacks are down to 10 to 15 per week,” said Brig. Gen. Vandal.

While security has improved in Mosul, the KRG and GoI are looking for permanent homes. The U.S. Army is assisting them along the way.

“The KRG is more than capable of providing for the humanitarian needs of these people. What we can do is engage senior leadership within the KRG to ensure that they are focused on long-term solutions,” said Vandal.

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Story by Pvt. Jennifer Montagna

Over 1,000 displaced Diyala citizens have returned to their homes after being forced out by sectarian conflicts and intimidation.

According to current Coalition force reports, over 1,000 families have returned to their homes in Diyala Province since July 2008. These figures include over 180 families who returned to their homes in the Al Abarra District, over 100 families in the Qualis area, over 40 families in the Ameriyah area, approximately 50 families in the Abu Tamur area, over 300 families in West Baqubah and nearly 300 families in Bezul.

“The return of displaced persons is a visible sign of progress in Diyala Province and clearly indicates improvements in the security situation and increased confidence in the provincial government are giving people the welcomed chance to return to their homes,” said Maj. Jon Pendell, spokesperson for the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

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More than 108 internally displaced families returned to their homes in the town of al Khwalis, Iraq, July 20. The event was celebrated by a welcome ceremony and is a significant mark in the reconciliation process.

The families left the area when tensions mounted after the Iraqi Army cleared the area of al-Qaeda last year.

“Today was a ceremony that represents the reconciling of differences between Sunni and Shi’a families,” said Capt. Roger Miranda, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 19th Brigade, 5th Division, Military Transition Team. “These people have been living in the town of Hib Hib since they were displaced.”

There were more than 500 people who returned to Khwalis in the reconciliation process that had been ongoing since January. The reconciliation council met multiple times and decided who is allowed to come back.

“I am so happy today because these families are able to come back to their homes,” said Sheik Ratif al Sa’adi, a member of the reconciliation council for al Khwalis. “This is a great step for the council and for the people returning.”

The Isnod Reconciliation Council in al Khwalis worked for several months to get the displaced families back to their homes. The council met several times over months to reach this point.

“It takes several meetings with the council to get this result,” said Sa’adi. “It has taken months for this to happen, and they have been gone a little bit less than a year.”

Coalition force Soldiers support the reconciliation council for the area of al Khwalis by assisting with security and providing recommendations about how to move forward with the process, said Capt. Keith Miller, commander, Outlaw Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

“This is a great boon for the area. Al Khwalis had a big AQI influence come in and affect a lot of destruction,” said Miller. “Now the families are coming back and living together once again.”

With the return of the families, there is a restored trust and unity in the town and one of the benefits is that it makes it harder for anyone to come in and disrupt it. There will be less ability for AQI to seek refuge in these villages, said Miller.

“It’s good to see that they are putting their past behind them. They were together as brothers and sisters at one point, and now they are able to come back together again,” said Miller. “The more we focus on the reconciliation councils, the more this country will come back together again.”

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