National security adviser urges countries to repatriate ISIS nationals from Iraq

BAGHDAD — National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji met Sunday with former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor to discuss regional security challenges and their impact on Iraq.

Al-Araji said “the region is going through a sensitive phase that requires de-escalation and the strengthening of stability,” stressing that “dialogue and diplomacy are the best way to achieve this.”

He said Iraq “follows a balanced policy in its relations with all parties” and seeks “to contribute to regional stability and prevent it from sliding toward more tension.”

Al-Araji stressed “the need to urge countries to restore their ISIS-affiliated nationals who were recently received from Syrian prisons,” adding that “ISIS still poses a real threat to humanity and to regional and international security.”

Iraqi authorities have received 2,259 ISIS detainees transferred from camps and prisons in northeastern Syria, a security source told 964media on Friday. U.S. Central Command has begun transferring detainees to Iraq, with plans to relocate up to 7,000.

The transfers follow an offensive by Syrian government forces and allied Islamist militias against Kurdish-held areas last month, which triggered concerns over detention facilities holding thousands of Islamic State prisoners and their families. Clashes near several sites led to reported escapes.

Iraq’s National Security Service said it arrested 16 people on terrorism charges during operations in January.