US Military Transfers Islamic State Prisoners from Syria to Iraq

Thu Jan 29 2026 22:52:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a strategic move, the US military has initiated the transfer of up to 7,000 Islamic State fighters from prisons in Syria to Iraq amid increased tensions with Syrian government forces controlling the area.

As Syrian government forces gain control in northeastern Syria, the US military is transferring 7,000 Islamic State prisoners to Iraq. This action follows a recent ceasefire announcement between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces, aimed at preventing further security threats.

The US military has launched a mission to transfer up to 7,000 Islamic State (IS) group fighters from prisons in north-eastern Syria to Iraq, as Syrian government forces take control of areas long held by Kurdish-led forces.

US Central Command confirmed that it has already moved 150 IS fighters from Hassakeh province to a secure location in Iraq. This mission aims to prevent a potential prison breakout that could pose a direct threat to both the United States and regional security.

On Tuesday night, Syria's government announced a new ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following the militia's withdrawal from al-Hol camp, which holds thousands of IS fighters' relatives.

Separately on Wednesday, Syria's defense ministry reported that seven soldiers were killed in a drone attack by Kurdish forces in the Hasakah province.

The ongoing conflict has also seen accusations exchanged between the government and the SDF regarding the escape of IS fighters from a prison in Shaddadi, after which Syrian forces entered the town and arrested 81 of the 120 IS terrorists who escaped.

Despite being weakened, IS remains active in Syria, primarily conducting attacks against Kurdish-led forces in the region. The US previously collaborated closely with the SDF, detaining over 300 IS operatives in Syria, but has since shifted its focus towards ensuring the security of facilities holding IS prisoners.

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has indicated that the rationale for the US-SDF partnership has 'largely expired', advocating for a pathway to full integration of the SDF leaders into a unified Syrian state with enhanced civil rights and political participation.