By Merve Berker
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that it has completed a 23-day mission to transfer more than 5,700 adult male ISIS (Daesh) fighters from detention facilities in northeastern Syria to Iraqi custody.
The transfer mission began on Jan. 21 and concluded following a nighttime flight from northeastern Syria to Iraq on Feb. 12, according to a CENTCOM statement.
CENTCOM said US forces successfully transported the detainees to help ensure they “remain secure in detention facilities.”
“Job well done to the entire Joint Force team who executed this exceptionally challenging mission on the ground and in the air with great focus, professionalism, and collaboration with our regional partners,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
“We appreciate Iraq’s leadership and recognition that transferring the detainees is essential to regional security,” he added.
US and coalition forces operating under Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) led mission planning, coordination, and execution.
“I am extremely proud of the coalition’s exceptional work,” said US Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Lambert, CJTF-OIR commander.
“The successful execution of this orderly and secure transfer operation will help prevent an ISIS resurgence in Syria,” Lambert said.
CENTCOM established CJTF-OIR in 2014 to advise, assist, and enable partner forces in the fight against ISIS, which was territorially defeated in 2019.