Iraq Takes Custody of ISIS Detainees in Major US-Facilitated Transfer from Syria
Baghdad, Iraq – In a significant development for regional security, Iraq has confirmed the receipt of a second contingent of Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group members transferred from prisons in Syria. The operation, which involved US helicopters, saw the detainees handed over to Iraqi authorities on Friday.
Strategic Detainee Transfer
An Iraqi security source, as reported by the Alalam network website, confirmed the latest transfer. This group comprises individuals of European, Asian, and Arab nationalities, marking a crucial step in international efforts to manage and prosecute ISIS fighters captured in Syria.
Following their handover by the American side, the ISIS elements are slated for transfer to three designated correctional facilities within Iraq: Suse Prison in Sulaymaniyah, Al-Hoot Prison in Dhi Qar, and Krober Prison, located near Baghdad International Airport. Officials have indicated that these facilities are equipped with segregated cells to accommodate various risk levels, categorizing detainees into leaders, mid-level operatives, and lower-risk individuals.
Ongoing Operations and Future Prospects
The recent transfer is part of a larger, ongoing initiative. A US official has indicated that these operations are set to continue, with an estimated 7,000 individuals expected to be moved from Syrian detention facilities to Iraq in the coming days. Reports suggest hundreds of ISIS members are being transferred daily.
This sustained effort underscores the complex challenges of post-conflict stabilization and counter-terrorism, with Iraq increasingly assuming the responsibility for holding and prosecuting individuals associated with the terror group. The transfers highlight a collaborative, albeit complex, regional strategy to ensure accountability for ISIS members and mitigate future threats to stability.
