A report published by "The National" highlights the suffering of thousands of Iraqi asylum seekers stranded in Turkey for years, some of whom fled from war and militias, while others left due to their cooperation with U.S. forces. The report revealed that there are approximately 13,000 Iraqi refugees and 101,000 asylum seekers in Turkey, according to Turkish government statistics.
**Hossam: 12 Years of Waiting**
The report features the story of Hossam, an Iraqi father of three daughters, who has been awaiting the resolution of his situation for over 12 years. Hossam, who fled Baghdad due to threats from militias as a result of his work with U.S. forces, faces legal complications preventing him from returning to Iraq or being resettled in a third country. Despite strong recommendations from U.S. military officials, Hossam was denied a "Special Immigration Visa" because he was considered an employee of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.
**Fleeing Iraq Under Threats**
Hossam and his brother Wassam, who worked with U.S.-backed Iraqi Special Operations Forces, received threats from militias after the U.S. withdrawal in 2012. Eventually, they managed to escape to Turkey, but while Wassam obtained a visa and became a U.S. citizen, Hossam remains stranded, awaiting resettlement.
**Difficult Conditions and Daily Challenges**
Hossam and his family live in Balıkesir, Turkey, facing livelihood difficulties due to his inability to work, forcing him to rely on money from family members abroad. His daughters also face discrimination at school because of their Iraqi nationality.
**Stranded Refugees and Forgotten Feelings**
The report also covered the story of Mahmoud al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi journalist who fled militias after covering protests in Baghdad. After years of waiting, al-Dulaimi feels "dead" in Turkey, struggling with integration issues and rising racism against refugees.
Despite assurances from the United Nations and the U.S. that resettlement may take years, refugees like Hossam and al-Dulaimi feel forgotten, waiting for a solution that may not come soon.