Russia calls on US to leave Iraq-Jordan-Syria camp amid humanitarian concerns
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Russia called for the United States to close the al-Rukban camp on the Iraq-Jordan-Syria border "as soon as possible," claiming displaced Syrians want to return home because they don't "feel free" there.
"According to UN observers who visited the camp, most of the displaced people there want to return home, including to territories controlled by the Syrian government," Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said during a visit to Amman on Sunday.
The camp on the strategic tri-border region has sheltered some 50,000 Syrians during the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS).
Al-Jalighem is further south than al-Baghouz and the Middle Euphrates River Valley where ISIS endured its last military defeat to the US-led international coalition last month.
Lavrov, standing next to Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, called it a "de facto occupation” by the United States, vowing Moscow would take all steps necessary to help people leave.
"It is necessary to stop the efforts preventing their freedom. I can say this because they do not feel free in this camp," claimed Lavrov.
Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported on Sunday that dozens of families left the camp in buses bound for Homs province via a corridor in coordination with Damascus.
It reported the "mercenaries" were taken to temporary residence centers in areas "liberated" by the Syrian Arab Army. From the centers in Homs, SANA reported, the displaced will be taken to "their original areas of residence."
Fatigue, exhaustion, and poor health were apparent, according to SANA.
Syrian sources have complained of a lack of humanitarian aid — namely by Jordan — for people in the camp who have lived there for nearly five years
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Sunday that over the past 24 hours 1,700 people had left the camp.
UK-based conflict monitor added that some families paid 50,000-300,000 Syrian pounds ($583-$97) following "necessary security investigations."
Russia has repeatedly called for the United States to leave the area. The United States views the desert area as strategic because of the crossing between the three borders.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) encouraged all parties to act within their obligations under international humanitarian law in a statement in February.
"The humanitarian situation there has been deteriorating due to harsh winter conditions and the lack of access to basic assistance and services,” said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., Sajjad Malik, in the statement.
He called a delivery of supplies by the UN and Syrian Arab Red Crescent at the time “a temporary measure.”