Preparations are reportedly underway to transfer new groups of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move is said to be part of a security agreement between the Iraqi and Syrian governments. However, official confirmation regarding the numbers involved and the arrival dates remains absent.
According to security sources, the second group of detainees is expected to arrive in the coming hours. They will be distributed among several Iraqi prisons, notably Al-Hout Prison in Dhi Qar Governorate, specifically in the city of Nasiriyah, and “Kroober” Prison located near Baghdad International Airport.
These sources indicate that the transfer process will not be a one-time event. Further groups are expected to arrive, potentially including detainees of non-Iraqi nationalities, including Asian and European citizens, in addition to Iraqi nationals.
Security Complexities
The prisons designated to hold the detainees are remembered in Iraq for having housed prominent ISIS leaders, many of whom are serving death sentences or life imprisonment. This underscores the sensitivity and security complexities surrounding the issue.
While the Iraqi government has not yet issued any official statement confirming the details of the operation, information suggests that the transfers will be carried out partially by helicopters belonging to the international coalition. The land route connecting the Iraqi-Syrian border may also be used to transport some detainees.
The U.S. Central Command estimates the number of ISIS detainees in Syria to be around 7,000.
The Iraqi government states that receiving these detainees is a proactive step to strengthen national security, given what it considers a constant threat posed by prisons and the Al-Hol camp located on the border strip between the two countries. The Al-Hol camp, which houses ISIS detainees, mostly women and children from families of former ISIS fighters, is a significant security concern.
The transfer operation is shrouded in secrecy, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
