Iraq: 5,703 ISIS Prisoners Transferred From Syria – Nationalities Revealed

Iraq has received over 5,700 prisoners affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) transferred from Syria, according to a statement released Saturday by the Iraqi Ministry of Justice. The transfer, completed Thursday, represents a significant development in regional efforts to address the ongoing threat of ISIS and the fate of its captured members.

The ministry reported that the total number of prisoners transferred is 5,703, representing 61 different nationalities. Of those, 4,253 are Arab nationals and 983 are foreign. Specifically, 467 are Iraqi citizens, while 3,543 are Syrian, with the remainder originating from other countries.

“The Al-Karakh Central Prison has been prepared to receive them, and the prisoners have been classified through a database provided to Iraq by the International Coalition,” said ministry spokesperson Muhammad Laibi.

The transfer comes as Iraq continues to grapple with the aftermath of ISIS’s territorial defeat and the challenges of dealing with its fighters, and families. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein stated Saturday that Baghdad is in talks with several countries regarding the potential repatriation of ISIS prisoners “soon.” He added that Iraq will require additional financial assistance to manage the influx.

Justice Minister Khalid Shwani announced Thursday that the latest group of prisoners from ISIS-controlled prisons in northeastern Syria, run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had arrived in Iraq and would be held in high-security prisons in Baghdad. “A dedicated internal security team was formed to oversee the handover process, along with a technical team headed by the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency to conduct investigations,” Shwani said. “A specialized judicial committee was also established to prepare case files and classify charges in accordance with Iraqi counter-terrorism and penal laws, in preparation for referral to the competent courts.”