US begins transferring ISIL-linked detainees from Syria to Iraq

In January 2026, the United States began transferring detainees linked to ISIL (ISIS) from a detention facility in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. The US military stated that 150 detainees were initially moved, with plans to transfer up to 7,000 individuals in total. This action is occurring as the Syrian government extends its control into formerly Kurdish-held areas, where camps and prisons holding ISIL fighters and their families are located. The SDF, which previously guarded these facilities, has withdrawn from some locations due to the Syrian government's advance. The US military is coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, to ensure the secure transfer of detainees and prevent potential breakouts that could threaten regional security.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has begun transferring ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to secure facilities in Iraq. The transfers, which began Wednesday with 150 fighters, aim to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and maintain regional security. Ultimately, up to 7,000 detainees could be moved. This action follows a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Syrian government, which includes the handover of ISIS prisons and camps to Damascus. The U.S. maintains that facilitating the orderly transfer of detainees is critical to preventing breakouts that would threaten the U.S. and the region. The U.S. aims to transition security responsibilities to local entities and avoid a long-term military presence in Syria.

The U.S. military began transferring ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, due to concerns about prison security amid escalating conflict between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led forces. The U.S. Central Command stated that 150 ISIS fighters have already been moved to a secure location in Iraq, with plans to potentially transfer up to 7,000 detainees. This action is a coordinated effort with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, to prevent a potential breakout that could threaten the U.S. and regional stability. The transfer follows reports of violence near prisons and escapes of detainees as Kurdish forces relinquish control under a cease-fire agreement. The U.S. aims to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS through this initiative.