Second group of Iraqis return after failed Europe gamble

By SALAR SALIM
Associated Press

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — A second group of Iraqis has returned home on a repatriation flight after a failed bid to enter the European Union. Over 570 people returned on two flights that landed in Irbil airport in the northern Kurdish-run region Friday morning. Most were Iraqi Kurds. Over a week three flights now have brought Iraqis back. Returnees accused the Belarusian border authorities of cruelty — from beatings to threats — and said they attempted to push them to cross into neighboring EU countries Poland and Lithuania. Thousands of migrants remain stranded between borders. Most are fleeing conflict or hopelessness in the Middle East and aim to reach Germany or other western European countries.