February 13, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In a major security operation that reflects ongoing regional counter-terrorism priorities, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has completed the transfer of more than 5,700 detained members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Daesh) from northeast Syria into Iraqi custody — a significant development in controlling extremist fighters and stabilising volatile territories long beleaguered by insurgent activity.
The detainees, captured over years of conflict and held by Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria after the fall of Daesh’s territorial “caliphate,” were flown to secure detention facilities in Iraq following a recent transfer mission that lasted approximately three weeks, CENTCOM confirmed.
Operation and Rationale
The transfer mission began on January 21 and concluded with a nighttime flight on February 12, moving 5,704 adult male detainees into Iraqi custody. The detainees include individuals from around 60 nations, with a majority being Syrian nationals, followed by Iraqis and other foreign fighters.
CENTCOM described the operation as essential for maintaining the integrity of detention capabilities and preventing potential security risks, particularly in the wake of shifting territorial control in northern Syria. Syrian government forces have recently pushed Kurdish groups out of several frontline areas, raising concerns about Daesh prisoners escaping or being drawn into new conflicts.
Regional Security and Justice Challenges
Daesh’s brutal insurgency, which at its height swept across parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, significantly destabilised the region, resulting in mass atrocities, civilian deaths, and widespread displacement. Although local and international forces — including the U.S.-led coalition — declared the group territorially defeated by 2019, remnants have continued low-level insurgent activity and posed a persistent threat.
Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC) reported taking custody of detainees that include fighters from Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States, highlighting the global footprint of the insurgent group and the diplomatic complexity of managing prosecutions and long-term detention.
The transfer also underscores ongoing questions about post-conflict justice and rehabilitation, particularly for foreign nationals detained far from their countries of origin. Governments and human rights organisations often challenge how jurisdictions will handle prosecution, detention conditions, and preventive measures against future radicalisation.
Strategic Implications
Beyond immediate security concerns, the operation reflects broader regional cooperation between the U.S. and Iraqi authorities in addressing destabilising elements left in the wake of years of armed conflict. Ensuring that Daesh suspects are securely detained in Iraq may bolster local rule of law and contribute to long-term stabilization efforts in areas once devastated by insurgent rule.
Iraqi officials have framed the move as a critical contribution to regional security, emphasising that comprehensive detention and investigation processes are necessary to prevent renewed extremist activity. The 5,700 detainees now under Iraqi control will be subject to legal processes consistent with Iraqi national law and international standards — a challenging balance as nations navigate accountability and human rights obligations.