Iraq defends transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria

BAGHDAD — Iraqi government spokesperson Basem al-Awadi said Thursday that the transfer of Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq is a “preemptive step to defend Iraqi national security,” stressing that the decision was carefully studied and that judicial procedures have already begun.

Al-Awadi told the Iraqi News Agency that “the transfer of ISIS terrorists from Syria is a preemptive step to defend Iraqi national security,” adding that “events in Syria are developing rapidly and are being compressed into days, which requires important decisions that do not accept delay and look to the future security environment and prepare for it with effective steps.”

He said Iraq could not postpone action given the pace of developments. “It was incumbent on Iraq to take its decisive decision as a state and a government capable of protecting its national security, bearing difficulties, and proving that the competent Iraqi institutions are able to shoulder responsibility — and they truly are,” al-Awadi said.

Al-Awadi said the government understands public concern but rejected what he described as alarmist narratives. “We do not agree with campaigns of fear, but we understand their reasons,” he said, expressing hope that they would be replaced by “campaigns of confidence, readiness, and proving the ability to carry out any action that serves the protection of Iraq’s land and people.”

He said the decision was not taken lightly. “The government is fully aware of the points of strength and weakness in decisions like this and does not take decisions without study or without having the capacity to do more than merely detain prisoners,” he said.

Al-Awadi added that judicial measures are already underway. “Procedures for dealing with ISIS terrorists have already begun based on the statement of the Supreme Judicial Council, in addition to the role of security and intelligence agencies, prison administrations, and others tasked with developing an effective strategy to apply the law to those brought in,” he said.

The comments follow the transfer of 150 Islamic State detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq as part of coordination with the International Coalition to Defeat Daesh, a move approved by the Ministerial Council for National Security. U.S. Central Command has said the initial phase could expand to include up to 7,000 detainees, as fighting and territorial shifts in northeastern Syria raised concerns over prison security and possible escapes.

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council has said all transferred suspects, regardless of nationality or role within the organization, are subject exclusively to Iraqi jurisdiction, with crimes documented and prosecuted under Iraqi law.