Iraq Palestinians to go to Europe

The UN's refugee agency says a group of about 200 Palestinians stranded for two years on the Iraq-Syria border will be resettled in Sweden and Iceland soon.

The refugees will include "some of the most vulnerable women and children with urgent medical needs requiring immediate attention", the UNHCR said.

More than 2,000 others will remain in two camps awaiting resettlement.

They had been trying to escape the violence in Iraq, but were stranded after being refused entry by Syria.

Palestinians have felt especially vulnerable to attacks and persecution by Iraqi militants as they enjoyed generous financial support from the former government of Saddam Hussein, who championed the Palestinian cause.

"We hope that all of the Palestinians will be able to leave the harsh conditions of the camps sooner rather than later"
Ron Redmond
UNHCR spokesman

Their healthcare, school and housing were subsidised and many received government jobs, leading to resentment among many Iraqis.

Of the estimated 34,000 Palestinians in Iraq before the US-led invasion in 2003 in 2003, it is believed that some 10,000-15,000 remain in the country.

UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said 155 of the refugees stranded at the al-Tanf refugee camp would be resettled in Sweden, and more than two dozen from al-Waleed camp would go to Iceland.

"We hope that all of the Palestinians will be able to leave the harsh conditions of the camps sooner rather than later," he added.

In the past 14 months, 12 refugees have died in the camps, where the provision of healthcare has become increasingly dire. The nearest proper medical facility in Iraq is more than 400km (250 miles) away.