Baghdad: 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 stated on Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, confirmed that 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. This development is part of a broader strategy to address security concerns not only in Iraq but also on an international scale.
Maan explained that specialized teams have commenced preliminary investigations and are categorizing the detainees based on their danger level, with confessions being recorded under direct judicial supervision. However, he did not specify whether this number is a new batch or the total received since the US Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated transfers on January 21.
The Iraqi government maintains a firm stance on prosecuting those involved in crimes against Iraqis and linked to ISIS in competent Iraqi courts. Maan highlighted the Foreign Ministry's ongoing communications with several countries regarding detainees of other nationalities. Transfers to their home countries will proceed once legal requirements are met, while security agencies continue field and investigative work on the matter.
On Monday, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council reported that the country had recently received 1,387 ISIS members from Syria, initiating investigative procedures. Earlier, CENTCOM announced an operation to relocate ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, transferring 150 detainees from Hasakah province to Iraq, with further transfers planned.
These actions follow the withdrawal of the YPG/SDF, a terrorist organization, from al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria after clashes with the Syrian Army, which subsequently took control of the camp and nearby areas. Despite Iraq's declaration of "victory" over ISIS on December 10, 2017, following a three-year campaign to reclaim territory, ISIS terrorists continue to launch sporadic attacks across various provinces. In response, Iraqi authorities persist in military operations to dismantle the group's remaining cells.