The United States has confirmed the successful completion of a large-scale operation to transfer more than 5,700 suspected ISIL (ISIS) detainees from detention centers in Syria to Iraq, which is considered one of the largest prisoner transfers since the defeat of the terrorist group.
The operation, which lasted 23 days, started on January 21 and ended on February 12 with a final flight at night to Iraqi territory from northeast Syria, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation by US forces was to ensure that ISIL detainees remain securely detained amid rapidly shifting security conditions in Syria.
Security Vacuum After SDF Withdrawal Prompts US Action
The transfer comes amid a push by the Syrian government to take control of more territory in northeastern Syria, which had previously been controlled by the Kurdish-led SDF. The SDF had been in charge of overseeing various prisons and camps housing ISIL members and their families for years.
With the Syrian government advancing and the SDF pulling out of key areas, including the al-Hol camp, which is the largest facility for ISIL family members in Syria, the United States acted swiftly to avert a security crisis that would arise in case the ISIL members escaped in large numbers, which would destabilize Iraq and Syria and pose a security threat to the region and the world at large.
The CENTCOM stated that it had planned to transfer around 7,000 detainees and that the current operation saw more than 5,700 adult male ISIL fighters being transferred to Iraqi custody.
Iraq Agrees to Receive Detainees Amid Regional Security Concerns
Iraq verified that they had approved the transfer after observing security trends in Syria. Baghdad was concerned about the worsening security situation in the country’s detention centers, which might cause the rise of militancy in the region.
Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for Iraq’s armed forces chief commander, said that the National Security Council had approved the reception of Iraqi and foreign nationals in Iraqi prisons that were previously under SDF control. The first batch of 150 detainees had already arrived, including those accused of being involved in deadly attacks in Iraq.
The detainees are being transferred to Iraqi government-run correctional institutions, where they will be interrogated and prosecuted under Iraqi law.
Detainees Represent Dozens of Nationalities
Iraq’s National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC) reported that 5,704 detainees from 61 countries have arrived. The detainees include:
- 3,543 Syrians
- 467 Iraqis
- 710 individuals from other Arab states
- More than 980 foreign nationals from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the United States
The presence of detainees from so many countries highlights the global scope of ISIL’s recruitment and the ongoing reluctance of many governments to repatriate their citizens.
US and Iraq Warn of Risks of Prison Breakouts
US Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US forces in the Middle East, emphasized that the transfer was critical to prevent prison breaks. In fact, there was a warning that if there was a prison break, it could reinvigorate ISIL sleeper cells, creating direct security threats to regional and Western security interests.
Iraq has consistently urged foreign governments to take responsibility for their citizens in the prison. Nevertheless, the repatriation of the detainees has remained low, especially for the adult male ISIL fighters.
Shift in US Strategy Toward Syrian Government
The announcement comes at a time when there is a significant shift in US policies regarding the Syrian conflict. The day before the announcement, the US special envoy to Syria declared that the Syrian government, rather than the SDF, would now be the US’s main partner in the fight against ISIL. This is a significant shift in US policies, given the US’s long history of partnering with the SDF in the fight against ISIL. The shift is due to the new realities on the ground, with the Syrian government taking control of the SDF’s territory and security institutions.
ISIL’s Legacy and Continuing Threat
Although ISIL was able to lose most of its territory in Iraq by 2017 and in Syria by 2019, the organization still exists in both countries through sleeper cell activity and insurgent attacks. The SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIL militarily and capturing thousands of suspected ISIL fighters, as well as tens of thousands of their relatives.
The ISIL offensive in 2014 in both Syria and Iraq was characterized by mass killings, displacement, and systematic enslavement of women and girls.
Al-Hol Camp: A Long-Standing Security and Humanitarian Crisis
The Al-Hol facility, established in 2019 after the defeat of ISIL, was recognized as one of the world’s most infamous holding centers for families of suspected extremist fighters. Reports have revealed executions, extremist indoctrination, and underground extremist networks within the facility.
Security experts have long expressed concerns that the facility was a breeding ground for potential extremist organizations. The majority of foreign families have now left the facility with the departure of the SDF.
Legal and Political Challenges Ahead
The Iraqi judicial system is expected to question these detainees and take legal action against them. However, the volume of these cases is creating tremendous difficulties for the Iraqi judicial system. There have been concerns about the human rights situation in these cases. The massive transfer of these detainees to Iraq reveals the unresolved issues regarding responsibility, justice, and security in the world. Many countries are reluctant to take back their citizens, and as a result, Iraq is becoming the focal point for addressing the ISIL issue.
