US Transfers IS Prisoners from Syria to Iraq Amid SDF Withdrawal

Major Prisoner Transfer Operation Underway

The United States military has initiated a significant operation to transfer Islamic State (IS) detainees from prisons in northeastern Syria to facilities in Iraq. According to U.S. Central Command, the transfer began with 150 IS members being moved from detention centers in Hassakeh province, with plans to potentially relocate up to 7,000 detainees in total. This strategic move comes as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdraw from key territories following a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government.

Shifting Security Landscape in Syria

The prisoner transfers follow dramatic changes in Syria's security landscape. On January 19, 2026, the Syrian government and SDF announced a ceasefire agreement that requires the Kurdish-led forces to withdraw from Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces and integrate into Syria's military. 'The SDF's role as the primary anti-IS force on the ground has largely expired,' stated U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, highlighting the changing dynamics. As Syrian government forces take control of former SDF territories, concerns have grown about the security of detention facilities holding thousands of IS fighters.

Al-Hol Camp Transfer and Ongoing Violence

In a related development, Syrian government forces have taken control of the notorious al-Hol detention camp in northwest Syria, which previously housed approximately 24,000 people - mostly women and children linked to IS. The camp still contains about 14,500 Syrians and nearly 3,000 Iraqis, along with Dutch and other foreign nationals. Despite the ceasefire agreement, violence has continued around detention facilities. 'We've seen attacks on prisons even after the ceasefire was signed,' reported a regional security analyst, pointing to recent clashes at the Shaddadi prison where both sides accused each other of facilitating IS prisoner escapes.

Legal and Security Implications

The transfer of IS detainees to Iraq raises complex legal and security questions. While Iraqi facilities may offer more formal legal proceedings and better security than makeshift Syrian prisons, human rights organizations have expressed concerns about treatment standards. The operation represents a significant shift in how the international community manages captured IS members. According to military sources, the transfers are necessary to ensure proper guarding of detainees as the SDF withdraws and Syrian government forces establish control. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations about the fate of thousands of IS fighters and their families detained across Syria.

For more information on the ceasefire agreement, see PBS NewsHour coverage. Details about the al-Hol camp transfer can be found in Military Times reporting.