Iraq holding 5,703 ISIS detainees from Syria representing 61 nationalities

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Justice Ministry said Saturday that 5,703 Islamic State detainees transferred from Syria are currently held in Iraqi prisons, representing 61 nationalities, and outlined the process for their reception, classification and prosecution.

Justice Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Laibi told the Iraqi News Agency that “the total number of prisoners has reached 5,703 from 61 countries, including 4,253 Arabs and 983 foreigners.” He said 467 are Iraqi and 3,543 are Syrian.

The largest numbers among foreign nationals came from Tunisia (234), Turkey (181), Morocco (187), Turkmenistan (165), Russia (130) and Egypt (116).

Laibi said halls at Karkh Central Prison were rehabilitated and detainees were classified “through the database provided to Iraq by the international coalition represented by Canada, America, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, India, Australia, Belgium, Georgia, Denmark.”

He said the Iraqi National Security Council, at the coalition’s request, decided to receive detainees through the Counter Terrorism Service at the Martyr Mohammed Alaa Air Base and via the Rabia crossing through Joint Operations Command.

“There is a committee headed by the deputy minister of intelligence at the Interior Ministry, along with the Intelligence Service and National Security, to follow up on the matter, in addition to judicial committees to issue rulings,” Laibi said.

He noted that the Justice Ministry is a custodial authority and that “memorandums of cooperation can be concluded after sentencing through the leaderships, also for the purpose of reciprocity and achieving the supreme national interest.”

The international coalition is covering the cost of detainees’ food. All are being held in a single prison pending investigation and trial under Iraqi law.

The transfers follow clashes in northern Syria near detention facilities holding thousands of ISIS prisoners, raising concerns over security and possible escapes. U.S. Central Command has begun transferring detainees to Iraq, with plans to relocate up to 7,000.

Iraqi security officials have warned that renewed violence in Syria could allow ISIS cells to regroup and attempt cross-border movement, prompting reinforced border measures along the Iraq-Syria frontier.