From Syria to Iraq: the transfer of ISIS captives

The decision to begin transferring ISIS detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq marks a significant development in the evolving security landscape of both countries.

Framed as a preventive security measure rather than an externally imposed move, the transfer reflects growing Iraqi concerns over instability in Syria and renewed efforts by regional and international actors to prevent a resurgence of the extremist group.

Iraqi request amid rising regional tensions

According to United States (US) and Iraqi officials, the initiative to relocate ISIS prisoners originated in Baghdad. Iraqi authorities requested the transfer after assessing mounting risks linked to the rapidly changing situation in northeast Syria, particularly following the advance of Syrian government forces into areas previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

These developments heightened fears that detainees could escape amid clashes, shifting frontlines, and uncertainty surrounding the future of detention facilities. From Iraq’s perspective, leaving thousands of hardened ISIS members in a volatile environment posed a direct threat to national security, especially given the porous border and the group’s history of cross-border operations.

Iraqi authorities have emphasized that the transfer is firmly under Iraqi jurisdiction. The Supreme Judicial Council announced that all transferred detainees, regardless of nationality, will be subject exclusively to Iraqi law and judicial procedures. Previous cases suggest that many could face lengthy prison sentences or capital punishment if convicted on terrorism charges.

Baghdad argues that detaining ISIS members inside Iraq allows for tighter security control and legal accountability, rather than relying on overstretched and politically uncertain arrangements in Syria. Over the past several years, Iraq has already received and prosecuted foreign ISIS fighters transferred by the SDF.

The role of the United States and the coalition

The Iraqi request was welcomed by the US-led “Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS” and the Syrian government, underscoring rare alignment among multiple actors with differing agendas. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Iraq “offered proactively” to receive the detainees, countering speculation that Washington had pressured Baghdad into accepting them.

The first phase of the operation began with the transfer of 150 ISIS detainees from Syria’s Hassakeh province to secure locations in Iraq. US officials indicated that up to 7,000 detainees (out of approximately 9,000 currently held by the SDF) could eventually be relocated as part of an organized and phased process.

American military officials stressed that the operation aims to ensure detainees remain in secure facilities and to prevent any escape that could pose a threat to regional or international security.

Instability in northeast Syria

The timing of the transfer is closely linked to developments on the ground in Syria. Syrian government forces recently took control of al-Hol camp from the SDF following a ceasefire, while clashes and shelling have been reported near detention facilities holding ISIS prisoners. In one incident, dozens of detainees reportedly escaped from a prison in Shaddadeh before being recaptured.

The SDF has accused government forces of besieging and shelling certain prisons, including al-Aqtan facility near Raqqa, where negotiations over control are ongoing. These incidents reinforced concerns that detention sites could become flashpoints, increasing the risk of mass breakouts similar to those seen in previous years.

Broader strategic implications

The transfer coincides with reports that Washington is reviewing its military posture in Syria, including scenarios involving a full withdrawal. While no final decision has been made, such discussions add urgency to efforts to secure ISIS detainees before any potential reduction in US presence.

Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, the group continues to operate through dormant cells, carrying out deadly attacks in both countries. Preventing detainee escapes is therefore widely seen as critical to avoiding a renewed insurgency.

In conclusion, the transfer of ISIS prisoners from Syria to Iraq highlights a convergence of security interests amid regional uncertainty. For Iraq, it is a calculated move to neutralize a known and neighboring threat under its own authority. For the United States and its partners, it is a necessary step to safeguard hard-won gains against ISIS as the geopolitical landscape shifts.