Iraqi Refugees Forced to Choose Whether to Stay in Europe or Return Home

With ISIL's brutal campaign of violence forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in search of safety, the war has also mercilessly shattered families, forcing refugees to make painful choices about whether to stay in Europe or return home once the violence dies down. Sputnik shares the stories of two refugees finding themselves in Hungary.

Vasily Raksha — Nibal Hatem, a former Iraqi border guard, was forced to run for his life in search for safe haven in Europe when terrorists invaded the city of Ramadi.

“I lost my home. I lost my job. I lost my money. I lost everything,” the 34-year–old man confessed to Sputnik, recalling the battle for Ramadi, which lasted between October 2014 and May 2015.

But the most terrible loss from which he suffers is being separated from his family. He did not manage to evacuate them from the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

“I have a wife and a daughter. They are still there. And my father and mother are in Baghdad,” Nibal continued.

The displaced border guard has spent eight months in a refugee camp in the Hungarian town of Bicske. During his stay here he was hit by a car, injuring his left leg. 

It is painful to see the young Nibal limping and wrestling with aching pain every time he wants to sit down or stand up. His leg hurts and itches but the doctor has done practically nothing to alleviate his pain, and has not even taken the effort to make a proper diagnosis, the Iraqi complained. 

Nibal asked us for medicine. He doesn’t have a prescription or even know what kind of painkillers he needs, but he would be grateful for any aid.

Refugees in this particular camp in Hungary are not provided with food. Instead, they receive social benefits of some 20 euros per week – fortunately for them, some locals and people from the local Arab diaspora living nearby supply asylum seekers with food.

Nibal told Sputnik that he is obsessed with the idea of rescuing his family from Iraq. However, he's only obtained the ability to stay in Europe as a refugee for five years, which isn't enough for him to be able to legally bring his family in.

Nevertheless, Nibal remains optimistic, in spite of his tremendous misfortune.

“When the war ends, I will come back to my Iraq”, the man said, hoping that the brutal conflict will one day become a distant memory.

Nibal's story was echoed by that of Muhammed Kashim, a former police officer from the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

“I used to work as a policeman in Baghdad. But then I learned that some ill-willers started informing on me to the militia”, Muhammed told us.

The policeman had his back to the wall – the clock was ticking, and being on the militia’s hitlist left him very little choice – he had to drop everything and flee the country. 

It has been one and a half years since Muhammed arrived at the Biscke migrant camp, turning into a refugee just like thousands of his fellow citizens. His living conditions leave much to be desired, but sleeping on the grass in an overcrowded camp in the summer was better than trembling with fear in Iraq, he told Sputnik. 

Just like all of his displaced compatriots, he feels homesick.

“I have two kids in Baghdad, and I am scared”, the 30-year-old said, adding that “fortunately,” the militia “target only security forces, and do not go after their relatives.”

Muhammed wants to bring his family to Europe, because countries like Germany and the UK offer high social benefits, he admitted. But even culturally unfamiliar Hungary compares favorably with Iraq and nearby countries. “In Iraq, you have to pay $1,000 to rent a house. Here in Hungary it is just $300,” he noted.

But in order to rejoin with his family here, Muhammed first has to obtain a special permit. He has had only one interview with officials on this issue, and it was a failure. However, he cherishes the hope that one day he and his family will be happy again – be it in prosperous Europe or peaceful Iraq.