Return of displaced residents to Jurf al-Sakhr remains unresolved a decade after recapture

BAGHDAD, Iraq — More than a decade after Iraqi forces recaptured Jurf al-Sakhr in northern Babil province from the Islamic State group, the return of roughly 100,000 displaced residents to the area remains unresolved, with military restrictions, armed group influence, political divisions and unexploded ordnance cited as the main obstacles. Researcher Ziyad al-Arar said different parties have resisted allowing residents back and that the dispute can be settled only through a high-level political agreement. Former lawmaker Kamil al-Gurayri called on successive governments to clarify the file and demanded that returns proceed under security force supervision. Former lawwriter Hasan Feddam said the political stalemate has been compounded by the destruction of local infrastructure. He argued that the district's proximity to Baghdad, Karbala and Babil requires a comprehensive security and reconstruction plan before any large-scale resettlement is attempted. Political researcher Mujaish al-Tamimi recommended establishing a high-level commission including government, security agencies and representatives of the local population to draw up a roadmap for returns and rebuilding. No further details on a timeline or government response were immediately available.