Iraq receives 2,250 ISIS detainees from Syria

ISTANBUL

Iraq has received 2,250 detainees affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terror group from Syria and has begun procedures to classify them according to their level of threat, Iraqi officials said on Saturday.

Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, said Iraq received the detainees by land and air from the Syrian side in coordination with the international coalition and through extensive efforts by Iraqi security forces, according to a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Maan said the Iraqi government and security forces were prepared to handle the influx, describing the move as part of efforts to mitigate risks not only to Iraq but also at the global level.

“Specialized teams have begun preliminary investigations and are classifying the members according to their degree of danger, while recording confessions under direct judicial supervision,” he added.

Maan did not clarify whether the figure represents a new batch or the cumulative number received since US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of transfers on Jan. 21.

Iraq’s “fixed principle” is to try all those involved in crimes against Iraqis and affiliated with ISIS before competent Iraqi courts, he said.

He added that the Foreign Ministry is in ongoing contact with several countries regarding detainees of other nationalities, noting that transfers to their home countries will begin once legal requirements are completed, while security agencies continue field and investigative work on the file.

On Monday, the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq said the country had recently received 1,387 ISIS members from Syria and begun investigative procedures.

On Jan. 21, CENTCOM announced the launch of an operation to move ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, saying US forces transferred 150 detainees from a facility in Hasakah province to a site inside Iraq, followed by additional transfers.

That same day, CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper briefed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa by phone on a plan to transfer about 7,000 ISIS detainees to Iraq.

The developments followed the withdrawal of the terrorist organization YPG/SDF from al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria after clashes with the Syrian Army, which later took control of the camp and surrounding areas.

Iraq declared "victory" over ISIS on Dec. 10, 2017, following a three-year battle to reclaim territory seized by the terrorist group. However, ISIS terrorists continue to carry out sporadic attacks in northern, western, and eastern provinces, while Iraqi authorities conduct military operations to dismantle the group's remaining cells.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul