Feb 19 • 19:12 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Iltalehti

The notorious camp is emptying - What will happen to the Finns?

The Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria is reportedly emptying, raising concerns about the fate of the remaining Finnish nationals.

The Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria, known for its infamous conditions, is in the process of emptying out, as reported by international media outlets such as The Times and Al Jazeera. Many of the residents have either been relocated to other sites or have left the camp independently. According to Al Jazeera, only a few thousand individuals remained in the camp this week, highlighting a significant decrease in population as the Syrian government prepares for its closure, citing inadequate living conditions as a primary reason.

Jussi Tanner, the head of the consular department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided insights during a recent Yle interview, indicating that the ministry has no current information about the fate of the approximately ten Finnish nationals still at the camp. He predicted that an official announcement regarding the camp's closure might occur soon, possibly even on the same day of the interview. However, Iltalehti was unable to reach Tanner for further comments, leaving questions lingering about the ongoing situation.

Another significant concern raised by the article is the status of Finnish children still at the camp, whose repatriation has been complicated by the reluctance of their mothers to support the process. The situation not only raises humanitarian concerns but also poses legal and political challenges for the Finnish government as it balances domestic and international responsibilities toward its citizens in a contentious environment like that of Al-Hol.

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