Iraq Urges International Community to Repatriate Nationals from Terrorist Detention Facilities

INA

Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al‑Araji and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Iraq, Arturo Aníbal Caicos.

Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al‑Araji has called on the international community to repatriate its citizens detained in prisons holding members of terrorist organisations, underlining that such a step is essential for regional and international security.

In a statement received by PUKMEDIA, the National Security Advisor’s media office confirmed that al‑Araji hosted a meeting on Sunday with the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Iraq, Arturo Aníbal Caicos. The two officials discussed avenues to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance strategic relations between their countries in a manner that aligns with mutual interests and shared geopolitical priorities.

The statement emphasised that “Iraq remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue as the primary mechanisms for addressing regional challenges,” noting that the Iraqi government is working with sisterly and friendly states to strengthen diplomatic engagement, restore stability and reduce regional tensions.”

Al‑Araji reiterated his appeal to the international community, stressing that the repatriation of foreign nationals detained for involvement with terrorist groups is crucial not only to alleviate the burden on Iraqi institutions but also to foster comprehensive frameworks for justice and security.

For his part, Ambassador Caicos reaffirmed Venezuela’s readiness to expand bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in a way that advances the interests of both nations and promotes mutually beneficial strategic partnerships.

Al-Araji's call comes as as Iraq is bracing to receive the rest of ISIS detainees from Syria.

The U.S. military began the transfer of thousands ISIS detainees from Syrian prisons to more secure detention facilities Iraq in a coordinated move with Baghdad aimed at preventing the extremist group from taking advantage of the security vacuum that could emerge as a result of strife in Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Iraq’s initiative to detain ISIS in secure facilities in Iraq while also urging nations to repatriate their citizens.

“The United States welcomes the Government of Iraq’s initiative to detain ISIS terrorists in secure facilities in Iraq, following recent instability in northeast Syria,” Rubio said in a statement on Thursday.

But he added; “Non-Iraqi terrorists will be in Iraq temporarily; the United States urges countries to take responsibility and repatriate their citizens in these facilities to face justice.”

“This is a critical part of a long-term framework to prevent an ISIS resurgence, in line with proper burden sharing among Coalition members,” Rubio said added.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Command said its forces had transferred 150 ISIS detainees from a detention facility in Syria’s Hasakah to Iraq, adding that the move was intended to prevent their escape.

Reuters quoted a U.S. official as saying Washington expects the transfer of up to 7,000 detainees from prisons in Syria to Iraq to be completed in the coming days, noting that hundreds of detainees could be moved daily across the border.

Thousands of ISIS jihadists and their families, including foreigners, have been held in detention centers and camps in Syria since ISIS’s defeat in 2019 at the hands of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) backed by the U.S.-led Global Coalition.

Tensions in northern and eastern Syria have escalated after Syrian government forces launched attacks on areas controlled by the SDF, including sites housing prisons with ISIS detainees and their families.

The SDF has lost control of the notorious Al-Hawl camp, with the Syrian Arab Army and Damascus-affiliated forces moving to take control of the squalid facility. Reports and videos posted on social media showed a large number of ISIS-linked people escaping amid the security vacuum. 

Iraq has voiced significant concern over the spillover of veteran ISIS fighters into its territory. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani on Wednesday visited the border with Syria to oversee efforts to strengthen security capabilities in the face of the growing threat of ISIS.

In 2014, ISIS seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring a so-called “caliphate” with the northern Iraqi city of Mosul as its de facto capital.

The group’s territorial control ended in Iraq in 2017, following operations by Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by a US-led international coalition. ISIS was finally defeated in Syria two years later.

Despite the loss of its territories, ISIS sleeper cells and hit-and-run attacks have continued to pose security threats in both countries.



PUKMEDIA