Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Friday that thousands of ISIL (Daesh) Takfiri detainees have so far been transferred from Syrian prisons to Iraq, with additional transfers ongoing as Baghdad negotiates with several countries to repatriate their nationals.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Hussein stressed that Iraq will require increased financial assistance to manage the influx of detainees. He also warned of a recent uptick in ISIL (also called ISIS) activity inside Syria, highlighting ongoing regional security concerns.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Laibi, spokesperson for the Justice Ministry, told the Iraqi News Agency that a total of 5,064 ISIL-affiliated detainees have been moved from Syria to Iraq following the completion of legal procedures. According to Laibi, the group includes more than 270 Iraqis, over 3,000 Syrians, and other foreign nationals, all currently held in a single facility undergoing investigation and trial under Iraqi law.
Iraq’s Ministry of Justice said 5,064 Islamic State detainees have been transferred from Syria to Iraq, including around 270 Iraqis and about 3,000 Syrians, and all have been placed in a single prison, where they will be investigated and tried under Iraqi law, the ministry said. pic.twitter.com/J6HljKIrBT
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He said Iraq agreed to detain the suspects at the request of the Global Coalition Against Daesh, of which Baghdad is a key member.
On Wednesday, Al‑Monitor reported that 66 ISIL fighters of Turkish origin were recently transferred from prisons in Hasakah province to coalition forces for relocation to Iraqi territory. A senior Kurdish official cited by the outlet dismissed claims that thousands of Turkish ISIS detainees were held, saying their identities are known to coalition authorities but cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
Nomination of Al-Maliki
Meanwhile, the top Iraqi diplomat stressed that the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for premiership is an internal Iraqi matter, despite Washington’s objections.
Hussein said that while Baghdad takes signals from the United States seriously, political matters such as the possible return of former premier Nouri Al‑Maliki remain internal Iraqi issues.
The Coordination Framework, an umbrella alliance of Shiite political parties holding more than 185 seats in Iraq’s 329-member parliament, nominated Al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister. Al-Maliki previously led two governments between 2006 and 2014.
US President Donald Trump has publicly rejected Al-Maliki’s potential return to office, threatening to halt US support for Baghdad.