US Central Command: US forces complete their mission in Syria to transfer ISIS detainees to Iraq
US Central Command (CENTCOM) completed a transfer mission following an overnight flight from northeast Syria to Iraq on February 12, with the aim of ensuring that ISIS detainees remain in secure detention facilities.
The 23-day transfer mission began on January 21 and resulted in US forces transferring more than 5,700 adult ISIS fighters from detention facilities in Syria to the custody of Iraqi authorities.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said: “You have done well to all the members of the Joint Force team who carried out this exceptionally difficult mission on the ground and in the air with high focus, professionalism, and close cooperation with our regional partners… We appreciate Iraq’s leadership and its recognition of the importance of the transfer of detainees in strengthening regional security”.
US and coalition forces, under Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, led the planning, coordination, and execution of this mission.
Maj. Gen. Kevin Lambert, commander of Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, said: “I am extremely proud of the extraordinary work that the coalition has done.
“The successful implementation of this orderly and safe transfer of detainees will help prevent the resurgence of ISIS in Syria,” he added.
Established in 2014 under the direction of US Central Command (CENTCOM), CJTF has advised, supported, and empowered partner forces in the fight against ISIS, which was regionally defeated in 2019.
In another context, A US official said that the strong role played by Syrian government forces in the fight against ISIS is contributing to reducing the US army group’s spread inside the country.
The US official said about 300 US troops had left al Tanf base, while thousands of US troops were still deployed in several locations in northeastern Syria.
He added that the United States expects to withdraw more of its forces from Syria in the coming period, if conditions on the ground permit, without providing a specific timetable for this step.
