Al-Zaidi Government Denies Transfer of Terrorist Detainees from Kurdistan Prisons to Kirkuk
Parties opposed to bringing all weapons under state control may use the threat posed by ISIS to justify keeping arms in the hands of Iran-aligned factions.
The Security Media Cell attached to the office of the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces on Monday denied reports that large numbers of detainees classified as terrorists had been released from prisons in Erbil and Duhok and transferred to Kirkuk province.
The allegations sparked security-related controversy only days after the international coalition concluded its mission and withdrew its forces from Iraq.
In a statement, the cell said the circulating reports were based on comments attributed to a political figure and had not been substantiated by official security sources. It stressed that information concerning terrorism and the movements of wanted individuals must be examined by the relevant agencies before being publicly announced.
“According to the official information currently available, the statements in question were not based on any announcement or position issued by the competent Iraqi security authorities. No evidence confirming these allegations has emerged to date,” the statement said.
The cell added that the relevant security and intelligence agencies continuously monitor terrorist threats and the movements of wanted individuals. It emphasised that security-related information must be carefully checked and verified with its sources before being accepted or disclosed.
It also stated that “the security forces, across their various branches and formations, continue to carry out their duties in pursuing the remnants of terrorist organisations and preventing any activity that threatens the safety of citizens”. According to the cell, these forces remain at a high level of readiness and vigilance to respond to any potential threat.
The reports have emerged at a particularly sensitive time for Baghdad. US and coalition forces completed their military mission in Iraq on 30 September, placing greater responsibility for combating the remnants of ISIS and protecting domestic security on Iraqi institutions. Limited cooperation is nevertheless expected to continue in the fields of training and intelligence.
The rumour carries additional significance because it links prisons in the Kurdistan Region with Kirkuk province. Kirkuk has previously been a major area of activity for ISIS and other armed cells. The circulation of unverified information concerning the movement of prisoners classified as terrorists could therefore generate security fears and disrupt forces deployed in the area.
There is no conclusive evidence that a particular armed faction is behind the allegations. Their timing nevertheless invites a political interpretation: parties opposed to the process of placing all weapons under state control may use the threat of ISIS to justify keeping arms outside official institutions.
The Iraqi government had presented the departure of foreign troops as the beginning of a new phase in which the country would rely more heavily on its own security capabilities. It has, however, faced resistance from Iran-aligned armed factions that refused to surrender their weapons, despite the authorities fulfilling their commitment to ensure that American forces withdrew on schedule.
Reports indicated that several prominent groups refused to comply with the original deadline for disarmament. The issue subsequently shifted to a negotiated process expected to continue until June 2027 under an established roadmap.
In this context, reviving claims that large numbers of individuals classified as terrorists have been released—even without official evidence—could serve a political and security purpose extending beyond the immediate content of the allegation.
It could portray the post-coalition period as more vulnerable to the threat of ISIS and implicitly link that danger to the perceived need to maintain armed formations outside the government framework.
This dynamic raises concerns that counterterrorism could become a political tool in the dispute over the future of weapons in Iraq. The government is seeking to consolidate the state’s exclusive authority over security decisions following the departure of foreign troops, while armed factions argue that continuing regional and terrorist threats justify retaining their military capabilities.
At the end of its statement, the Security Media Cell reiterated the importance of refraining from circulating unverified security information. It called on media outlets and social media platforms to exercise accuracy and responsibility as Baghdad attempts to establish a new security framework following the conclusion of the coalition’s military mission.
