US Transfers ISIL Detainees to Iraq as Syria Base Draws Down
Iraq to investigate up to 7,000 Islamic State prisoners
Iraq has launched investigations into the transferred prisoners, with officials expecting to receive up to 7,000 ISIL fighters and affiliates in total.
The transfers represent a significant shift in how the U.S. and its partners are managing the thousands of ISIS members captured during the campaign to destroy the group's territorial caliphate.
Analysis
Why This Matters
The fate of ISIS detainees has been a persistent challenge. Iraq's ability to prosecute and contain these prisoners will be crucial to preventing a resurgence.
Background
Thousands of ISIS fighters have been held in makeshift detention facilities in Syria, guarded primarily by Kurdish forces. Their long-term disposition has remained unresolved.
What to Watch
Whether Iraq's judicial system can handle the influx and the implications of the U.S. drawdown for regional security.