Syrian and U.S. official sources have revealed that practical arrangements have begun to transfer thousands of prisoners affiliated with the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) from northeastern Syria to Iraqi territory. The move was described as an “urgent response to the deterioration of the security situation” and fears of mass prison breaks, following security breaches at detention facilities in recent days.
اضافة اعلان
Syrian Foreign Ministry diplomat Sally Shobat said that arrangements to transfer around 7,000 prisoners came in response to an Iraqi initiative, with Syrian approval and U.S. welcome, amid escalating security tensions and the dangerous conditions prevailing in northeastern Syria.
In statements to Al Jazeera, Shobat said the prison crisis involving ISIS members is not new, but has worsened in recent hours following what she described as “serious breaches” by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). She accused the SDF of violating its agreement with the Syrian government, which stipulates a ceasefire and the safeguarding of prisons without leaving them unattended.
Security Breaches and Prisoner Releases
According to the Syrian official, the agreement entered into force at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, but the SDF soon violated it by launching attacks on Syrian army positions, leaving some prisons without guards, and releasing a number of ISIS prisoners, leading to severe security tension in the area.
She added that the Syrian army redeployed and reasserted control over the affected prisons, stressing that the decision to transfer prisoners to Iraq was taken “to ensure the safety of the region inside Syrian territory and to avoid serious security repercussions at both the regional and international levels.”
Prisoners’ Families: A Complex File
Regarding the fate of prisoners’ families, Shobat explained that this file is complex and requires trials and a comprehensive assessment of each case individually. She noted that some detainees have spent nearly seven years in prison, including children.
She emphasized that the current priority is to contain security risks and prevent their escalation, pointing out that the number of prisoners to be transferred represents only a small fraction of the total detainees. Tens of thousands of ISIS members and their families remain in other prisons and camps, such as Al-Hol Camp and Al-Shaddadi Prison.
Shobat expressed hope that the SDF would adhere to signed agreements, warning that continued violations undermine any efforts toward de-escalation.
Doubts Over SDF Commitment
Asked about the future of the agreement amid ongoing clashes and violations in several areas, including Hasakah and the Aleppo countryside, Shobat voiced pessimism regarding the SDF’s commitment, arguing that its record since March of last year indicates a lack of adherence to agreements and agreed timelines.
She said the SDF had been given a four-day deadline to reach internal understandings, stressing that the Syrian government’s position remains firm: unifying Syrian territory and ending the presence of an “illegal militia.” She accused the SDF of committing serious violations, including the recruitment of minors and the destruction of infrastructure.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry diplomat concluded by saying that “all options are on the table if current efforts fail,” expressing hope that the coming days will yield positive results that spare the region further escalation.
U.S. Central Command Statement
In this context, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced earlier on Tuesday the launch of a new mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq to ensure they remain in secure detention facilities.
In a statement, CENTCOM confirmed that U.S. forces successfully transferred 150 ISIS fighters who were being held at a facility in the city of Hasakah to a secure location inside Iraq. Up to 7,000 detainees are expected to be transferred later to facilities under Iraqi authorities’ control.
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Brad Cooper said the United States is coordinating closely with regional partners, foremost among them the Iraqi government, stressing that “the orderly and secure transfer of ISIS detainees is critically important to prevent any escapes that could pose a direct threat to regional and international security.”
Emergency Operation After Security Deterioration
The Washington Post quoted U.S. defense officials as saying that the transfer operation followed a prison escape earlier this week, amid rapid changes in the security landscape as Syrian government forces advanced into areas previously controlled by factions allied with Washington.
A U.S. defense official said the first 150 detainees transferred are considered “the most dangerous,” and are among approximately 9,000 ISIS-linked prisoners still held in northeastern Syria. Those not included in the transfer will remain inside Syrian territory.
Iraqi Jurisdiction and Expected Trials
For his part, Hussein Allawi, National Security Advisor in the office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, said the transfer of detainees is an “emergency measure” imposed by the rapid changes in Syria’s security situation. He noted that Iraqi courts have the authority to try these prisoners under anti-terrorism laws, even if their crimes were not committed on Iraqi soil.
He added that Iraq has previously received foreign detainees at the request of the International Coalition, including 47 French nationals who were transferred late last year as part of an international mechanism to deal with the issue of ISIS fighters.
Syrian Television
