ISIS Suspects: US Transfers Thousands From Syria to Iraq – Updates

Thousands of ISIS Suspects Transferred from Syria to Iraq

Erbil, Iraq – February 13, 2026 – The United States military is nearing completion of a large-scale operation to transfer approximately 7,000 Islamic State (ISIS) suspects from detention facilities in northeast Syria to Iraq, according to multiple reports. The transfers, which began in late January, are occurring amid ongoing security concerns and as the U.S. Seeks to reduce its military presence in Syria.

As of Thursday, February 12, 2026, nearly 2,000 detainees had been moved into Iraq, an Iraqi security source told CBS News. Iraqi officials have stated their intention to put the prisoners on trial, potentially facing terrorism charges within the country’s justice system. This move follows a 15-day extension of a ceasefire between Syrian government troops and Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, a period intended to facilitate the transfer of detainees.

The transfer operation was prompted, in part, by a mass escape from a prison in Syria on January 20, 2026, which raised concerns about the security of ISIS detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S. Ally. The SDF played a crucial role in defeating ISIS and dismantling its self-declared caliphate in 2019, but the group continues to pose a threat, necessitating ongoing joint operations with coalition forces.

The move of detainees to Iraqi government control is occurring as former President Trump continues to pursue a withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Syria, according to the Washington Post. The timing of the transfer suggests a coordinated effort to address the detainee situation ahead of a potential full U.S. Exit.

Upon arrival in Iraq, the ISIS suspects are being interrogated at facilities such as Al-Karkh Central Prison in Baghdad. Images released by the Associated Press show Iraqi security forces leading suspected militants for questioning. Iraqi authorities are preparing to prosecute some of the detainees for crimes committed in Iraq, though the specifics of the legal proceedings remain unclear.

The transfer has raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the Iraqi justice system, particularly given its past record of convicting and sentencing ISIS militants, including foreign nationals, to death. Concerns have also been voiced regarding the potential for human rights abuses and the lack of due process for the detainees.

The New York Times reported that the U.S. Military has completed its mission to transfer ISIS members to Iraq. Al Jazeera reported that more than 5,000 ISIL detainees have been transferred from Syria, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice. The operation represents a significant shift in the handling of ISIS detainees and raises complex legal and security challenges for both Iraq and the international community.

While ISIS no longer controls significant territory, the group remains a threat, and the SDF continues to work with coalition forces to prevent its resurgence. The transfer of detainees to Iraq is intended to address the immediate security concerns in Syria, but it also raises questions about the long-term strategy for dealing with ISIS fighters and their families.