Iraq Declines Syria's Bid to Return 4,000 Alleged ISIS Prisoners
Iraq has refused Syria's request to hand over about 4,000 suspected ISIS detainees who were transferred from Syrian detention centers earlier this year, a senior Iraqi security official said. Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi said Iraq has repatriated roughly 50 Syrians found not to be ISIS members, while about 400 of the remaining Syrian prisoners are believed to be high-level ISIS members. He said Iraq is investigating and will try anyone accused of crimes there, and has asked the anti-ISIS coalition for $500 million to help cover detention costs.
The detainees were moved from northeastern Syria to Iraq after January clashes involving Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which had overseen the camps. More than 5,700 people with suspected ISIS links were transferred, roughly 4,000 of them Syrian. Some prisoners escaped during the fighting, raising fears of a wider breakout.
Iraqi officials say about 400 of the remaining Syrians are thought to be senior ISIS figures. Baghdad has repatriated around 50 Syrians cleared of ISIS membership. Many transferred prisoners had spent years in Syrian custody without charges, and rights organizations have voiced concerns about conditions in both nations.
Iraq’s refusal may shape relations with Syria and the anti-ISIS coalition, especially as Baghdad seeks detention funding. The roughly 4,000 Syrian detainees and their families could face prolonged uncertainty, while Iraqi communities may weigh security concerns against prison costs. If trials proceed, rights groups and foreign governments may scrutinize due process and conditions. Any future transfers home could affect Syrian communities, but mishandled releases or escapes might heighten local fears.