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Iraq receives over 5,700 IS detainees from Syria

Xinhua
| February 14, 2026
2026-02-14

BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's National Center for International Judicial Cooperation said on Friday that the number of Islamic State (IS) detainees transferred from Syrian prisons to Iraq has reached 5,704.

In a statement, the center said the detainees represent 61 nationalities, including 467 Iraqis, 4,253 Arabs, and 983 non-Arab foreigners. Syrians made up the largest group, with 3,543 detainees.

Foreign suspects include nationals from Germany, France, Australia, Canada, and the United States, among others.

The First Karkh Investigation Court has begun questioning the detainees upon their arrival to initiate legal proceedings, the statement said, adding that the mission to transfer all suspects to Iraq has been completed.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it concluded the 23-day transfer operation on Thursday to help ensure IS detainees remain secure in detention facilities.

"We appreciate Iraq's leadership and recognition that transferring the detainees is essential to regional security," CENTCOM commander General Brad Cooper said. Enditem

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