Iraq is taking in thousands of ISIS prisoners as part of a US Central Command initiative to move them from Syria to Iraq.
In January, after clashes between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government, the United States decided to transfer up to 7,000 ISIS detainees to Iraq. These included hardened ISIS male fighters, among other suspects.
They are some of the 30,000 or more ISIS members captured back in 2019 when ISIS was largely defeated in Iraq. Many of those were women and children, all from approximately 60 countries. Over the years, some were repatriated, while others remained in Syria.
The US appears to be concentrating on moving the male prisoners. Some of the women and children are Syrians and can remain in Syria, where the government would likely prefer to integrate the families back into society.
According to reports, around 2,200 male prisoners have already been transferred to Iraq.
US Central Command said in a January 21 statement 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.”
It noted that “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.”
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said at the time, “We are closely coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, and we sincerely appreciate their role in ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS.”
He added, “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.”
US-backed transfer moves ISIS fighters to Iraq
Videos from Syria show the detainees being transferred to Iraq. This comes as the US is also leaving some bases in Syria.
The Arab Weekly noted that “Saad Maan, head of information at the Iraqi prime minister’s office, declared on Saturday that ‘Iraq has received 2,225 terrorists from the Syrian side by land and air, in coordination with the international coalition,’ which Washington has led since 2014 to fight ISIS.”
A Kurdish military source confirmed the “continued transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq under the protection of the international coalition,” the same publication stated.
Now, some officials in Iraq are also warning that ISIS threats are increasing in two Iraqi governorates that border Syria. These include Nineveh in northwestern Iraq, as well as Anbar.
Anbar is the border area with Syria, where the Euphrates River flows into Iraq at the site of the town of al-Qaim, on the border. This was the site of a major crossing point for many insurgents from Syria in the 2003-2009 era.
ISIS also crossed into Iraq from that area from 2013 to 2014. Therefore, it is concerning that Iraq is once again saying that there are challenges there.
According to Rudaw media, “Local officials in Iraq’s Nineveh and Anbar provinces have warned of increasing activities by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, following two recent suicide attacks in western Iraq.”
The report quoted Imad Mashaal al-Dulaimi, mayor of Anbar’s al-Rutbah district, as saying, “Anbar is a vast terrain and makes up a third of Iraq’s landmass. Recently, ISIS militants’ activities have increased in the province.”
The report added that “on Saturday, two ISIS militants detonated themselves during a security operation in western Anbar, injuring federal security personnel, according to Iraq’s National Security Service (INSS).”
This is indicative of the need for the ISIS detainees who are being transferred to be secured.
Iraq has demonstrated its ability to secure ISIS detainees since largely defeating the group in 2017. The country has enjoyed US and US-led coalition (made up of some 90 member countries) support in its battle against ISIS.
However, Iraq also asked the US to leave its bases in Iraq. In late 2025, most US forces left the Ain Al-Asad base in Iraq, which helps secure Anbar province. Therefore, it is currently unclear whether the US drawdown could affect security.
US forces are now concentrated in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and the US has warned Iraq not to appoint Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister. US President Donald Trump has personally said that Maliki should not be prime minister and warned Iraq will lose US support if he is chosen.
Maliki was prime minister in 2014 when ISIS took over part of Iraq, and he has sought a return to office. Iraq had elections in November and has been deadlocked in choosing a new leader. The arrival of the ISIS detainees potentially complicates an already complex situation.