Washington, United States. The US military said on Wednesday it transferred 150 Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq. The move follows uncertainty over the security of prisons and detention camps in northeast Syria after the rapid collapse of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
Transfer from Hasakah to Iraq
In a statement, the US military said it transported 150 Islamic State fighters held at a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. The statement added that ultimately up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities.
Coordination with Iraq and regional partners
US Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US forces in the Middle East, said the United States was closely coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, and expressed appreciation for their role in ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS.
Developments in northeast Syria
Syria on Tuesday announced a ceasefire with Kurdish forces after seizing swathes of territory in the northeast and gave them four days to agree on integrating into the central state, which the United States urged them to accept. The government advances in recent days and the apparent withdrawal of US support for the SDF’s continued holding of territory represent the biggest change of control in the country since rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad 13 months ago.
What do you think the transfer could mean for the security of detention facilities holding Islamic State suspects?