150 elements… Iraq receives the first batch of ISIS detainees from Syrian prisons

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The Iraqi government announced the reception of the first batch of detainees belonging to the terrorist group ISIS from prisons that were under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria.

The first batch includes 150 ISIS detainees, Iraqis and foreigners, within the framework of joint coordination with the US-led international coalition against ISIS.

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Sabah Al-Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said that “the Ministerial Council for National Security approved, in an emergency meeting, the reception of the detainees in light of the rapidly evolving security developments in Syria and the associated risks regarding the security of prisons housing elements of the terrorist organization.”

The statement explained that this step aims to prevent the escape of top-tier ISIS leaders implicated in the bloodshed of Iraqis, noting that additional batches will be transferred later according to assessments of the field and security situation.

Sabah Al-Numan added that “the first batch includes 150 terrorist elements, Iraqis and foreigners,” stressing that the objective of this measure is to “contain the danger of the dispersal of these individuals, who are considered among the first-rank leadership of terrorist gangs.”

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7,000 detainees

For its part, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the launch of an official mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, confirming that the operation began successfully with the transfer of 150 elements from a prison in the city of Hasakah to a secure facility inside Iraq.

The statement indicated that the number of detainees that may be transferred later could reach 7,000, in order to ensure their detention in secure facilities and prevent the recurrence of escape incidents.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the operation is being carried out in close coordination with the Iraqi government and regional partners, emphasizing that the orderly and secure transfer of detainees is vital to ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS.

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The US Central Command also announced that Cooper spoke by phone with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, briefing him on the command’s plan to transfer ISIS detainees to Iraq in an organized and secure manner.

Cooper expressed hope that Syrian forces, as well as all other forces, would avoid any actions that might hinder the operation. They also discussed the importance of Syrian government forces adhering to the ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Security reassurances inside Iraq

Meanwhile, the Security Media Cell denied the existence of any security threat inside the country, affirming the stability of the situation in all provinces, and considering what is being circulated about the impact of events in Syria on the Iraqi internal situation to be misleading rumors aimed at spreading anxiety and undermining stability.

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The cell urged citizens to rely only on official sources, not to be drawn into unconfirmed news, and to report pages that promote false information.

Parallel diplomatic and security moves

Politically, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed developments in the Syrian situation with the US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, stressing the necessity of controlling prisons, preventing the escape of ISIS terrorists, and maintaining the ceasefire between Syrian forces and the SDF.

Al-Sudani inspects the borders on the ground

As part of field readiness, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani conducted an aerial and ground inspection tour extending from Al-Qaim in Anbar to Sinjar in Nineveh.

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The tour included “inspecting the headquarters of the Border Forces Command in Sinjar, holding a security meeting on unit readiness, overseeing surveillance systems and fortifications, issuing directives to intensify intelligence efforts, and emphasizing the continuation of the highest levels of readiness.”

Al-Sudani affirmed that Iraq possesses an exceptional security defense line and a border barrier among the strongest in its history, stressing that the security forces are capable of preventing any terrorist threat.

He concluded by saying: “There are lions guarding our borders and defending Iraq, for which sacrifices have been made in our battle against ISIS gangs.”

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