US Central Command said on Wednesday that it would transfer ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq.
It is believed that there are around 9,000 male ISIS detainees in Syria, and also some 25,000 women and children. The men are the most dangerous, and they have been held in around 27 different prisons by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Most of these men were captured in 2019 when ISIS was largely defeated in Syria. Although most of the men are adults, there are apparently some teenage males among them.
Along with the 9,000 males, there are also a large number of women and children who are linked to ISIS and are held in Syria. Most of these women and children are at the Al-Hol and Roj camps. The men and women come from around 60 countries. Many thousands are from Syria. There are also some from Iraq, although Iraq has said it will repatriate its citizens.
US Central Command said that it had “launched a new mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, Jan. 21, to help ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities.”
"The transfer mission began while US forces successfully transported 150 ISIS fighters held at a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. Ultimately, up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities," the report stated.
US CENTCOM transfers ISIS detainees to Iraq
The transfer is taking place after the SDF retreated in Syria and handed over many of the prisons and facilities to the Syrian government. This includes the Shaddadi prison and Al-Hol camp.
“We are closely coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, and we sincerely appreciate their role in ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.
“Facilitating the orderly and secure transfer of ISIS detainees is critical to preventing a breakout that would pose a direct threat to the United States and regional security.”
CENTCOM added that “in 2025, the US and partner forces detained more than 300 ISIS operatives in Syria and killed over 20 during the same period.”