Archive · 30 Jan 2026
US slows transfers of Islamic State detainees to Iraq
The United States has been moving Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq.
They planned to move 7,000 detainees, but only about 500 have been moved so far.
The transfers have slowed down because Western countries are hesitant to take back their own citizens who joined Islamic State.
Iraq is also worried that taking in all the detainees could overwhelm their courts and prisons.
The U.S. is urging these countries to take responsibility and bring their citizens back to face justice.
Experts say that the best solution is for these countries to repatriate their nationals.
The United States has slowed the transfer of up to 7,000 Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq, with only about 500 moved so far.
The slowdown is due to Western governments' reservations about repatriating their own citizens who joined Islamic State.
Iraq has asked the U.S. to slow the influx to prepare additional facilities and negotiate with other countries for repatriation.
Iraq is concerned that taking in all the detainees could overwhelm its courts and prisons and lead to criticism from Western countries and rights groups.
The U.S. State Department urges countries to repatriate their citizens to face justice, and experts agree that repatriation is the only viable solution.
- Who
- The United States, Iraq, and Western governments
- What
- The slowdown of transfers of Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq
- When
- The slowdown occurred this week, more than a week after the transfers began on January 21
- Where
- From Syria to Iraq
- Why
- Due to Western governments' reservations about repatriating their own citizens who joined Islamic State, and Iraq's concerns about the influx overwhelming its courts and prisons
- Number of detainees expected to be transferred
- 7,000
- Number of detainees transferred so far
- Under 500
- Number of Iraqi detainees transferred
- 130
- Number of foreign detainees transferred
- 400
- Reason for slowdown
- Western governments' reservations about repatriation
- Iraq's concerns
- Overwhelming courts and prisons, criticism from Western countries and rights groups
- US State Department's stance
- Urges countries to repatriate their citizens
- Expert's view
- Repatriation is the only viable solution