The Kyrgyz Republic repatriated 99 women and children from the al-Hol and Roj displaced persons camps in northeast Syria Monday, bringing its total repatriations from northeast Syria over the past year to 423 and furthering its dedication to both its nationals and international security. The Kyrgyz Republic's efforts are an example to other countries that have yet to repatriate their nationals from the region.
Approximately 30,000 individuals from more than 60 countries outside Syria remain in the al-Hol and Roj camps, most of whom are children under the age of 12. Increasing the number and pace of repatriations is critical to resolving the intertwined security and humanitarian challenges in al-Hol and al-Roj displaced persons camps and ensuring the continued defeat of ISIS. The United States stands ready to assist countries in their effort to repatriate their nationals.
In addition to the Kyrgyz Republic's partnership, we are grateful to the Government of Kuwait for its continuing support of repatriations from northeast Syria. We are likewise grateful to our local partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces, for facilitating this operation and we look forward to its continuing assistance in returning displaced persons at the al-Hol and Roj camps to their countries of origin.
