(MENAFN) The head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, delivered his final briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, marking the impending conclusion of the mission’s 22-year mandate on December 31. He reflected on what he described as “hard-won gains” for Iraq.

Al Hassan expressed gratitude to Council members for their support and to the Iraqi government for hosting the mission since 2003, also acknowledging the crucial cooperation of Iraq and Kuwait. He described the closure of UNAMI as “honorable and dignified,” urging the Council to recall the difficult circumstances under which the mission was created, including dictatorship, wars, foreign occupation, and the rise of ISIS. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives, including the 22 UN personnel killed in the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad.

Highlighting Iraq’s resilience, Al Hassan noted milestones such as the adoption of a new constitution and 13 electoral processes. He described the sight of Iraqis from diverse backgrounds lining up to vote as a fitting final chapter for UNAMI’s work.

Despite political progress, Al Hassan cautioned that challenges remain, including the stalled formation of both the federal government and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). He also underscored the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with nearly one million internally displaced Iraqis, including over 100,000 Yazidis from Sinjar still living in camps 11 years after fleeing ISIS.

The envoy praised Iraq’s efforts in facilitating the return of nationals from northeast Syria, noting that approximately 20,800 Iraqis have been repatriated this year, with the final transfers expected before the end of 2025.

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