U.S. Forces Transfer 5700 "ISIS Detainees" from Syria to Iraq

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has completed a 23-day mission transferring more than 5,700 ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq.

The operation, which ran from Jan. 21 to Feb. 12, concluded with a nighttime flight to Iraq. U.S. forces transported adult male ISIS fighters to Iraqi custody to ensure secure detention.

According to CENTCOM, the mission was carried out by U.S. and coalition forces under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), established in 2014 to support partner forces in the fight against ISIS, which was territorially defeated in 2019. The transfer was conducted to help ensure ISIS detainees remain secure in detention facilities and to support regional stability.

However, no details were provided about when the detainees were originally captured, the specific crimes they are accused of committing, or whether they will be formally charged and tried in Iraqi courts. It is also unclear how long the prisoners were held in U.S. custody or how long they are expected to remain in Iraqi detention.