CENTCOM completes transfer of 5,700 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced today that U.S. forces have completed their mission to transfer ISIS mercenary detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, following a nighttime operation carried out on February 12, aimed at ensuring their continued detention in secure facilities.

13 February, 2026 17:35

NEWS DESK

CENTCOM stated that the transfer mission lasted 23 days, beginning on January 21, and resulted in moving over 5,700 ISIS mercenaries from detention facilities in Syria to the custody of Iraqi authorities.

CENTCOM commander, Brad Cooper, said: “All members of the joint force team performed exceptionally in executing this complex mission by land and air, with a high level of professionalism and close coordination with our regional partners.”

CENTCOM added that U.S. forces and coalition forces, as part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Resolute Support, led the planning, coordination, and execution of this mission.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, Kevin Lambert, expressed pride in the coalition’s exceptional performance, emphasizing that the successful, organized, and safe execution of the detainee transfer “will help prevent the return of ISIS in Syria.”

ANHA