BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The number of Iraqis returning from Syria due to the military operations in the country between July 18 and the end of the year reached 63,255 , among them  33,782 returned back to the war-ravaged country, the UN said in a report.

 

Reasons behind their return to Syria are their inability to live once again in Iraq because of the increase of living condition and the transport difficulties, it added.

 

According to UNHCR’s Border Monitoring reports, during the past week, some 1,892 Iraqis crossed into Iraq from Syria.

 

All three border points (Al-Waleed, Rabi’aa and Al-Qa'im) remained open for Iraqi returnees.

 

Al-Waleed continued to receive the largest number of returnees (1,379).

 

As of 26 December, the total number of Iraqis crossing the border into Iraq since 18 July 2012 is 63,255 including 5,997 by air.

 

This number includes returnees who have been registered in Syria and those who have not been registered.

 

It also includes individuals who cross the border for their private related reasons on a daily basis.

 

Statistics collected at the border continue to indicate that Baghdad is still the governorate to receive the largest number of Iraqi returnees, followed by Anbar and Ninewa.

 

In contrast, 962 Iraq individuals crossed the border to Syria, bringing the total number of Iraqis who crossed the border to Syria to 33,782 individuals since July 18, 2012.

 

 

SH (TI)/SR