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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the commencement of a major operation to relocate thousands of ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to secure facilities in Iraq.
According to CENTCOM, they launched a new mission to transfer ISIS detainees to help ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities
The mission, which began on January 21, 2026, saw an initial group of 150 ISIS fighters transported from a detention center in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location across the Iraqi border.
This move marks the start of a broader effort that could eventually see up to 7,000 detainees moved out of Syrian territory.
“The transfer mission began while U.S. forces successfully transported 150 ISIS fighters held at a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. Ultimately, up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities,” Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said on a post.
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Securing the Region
The primary objective of the transfer is to bolster regional security and prevent potential prison breaks. Many of the detention facilities in northeastern Syria, often overseen by partner forces in volatile areas, have long been viewed as a security risk.
“We are closely coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, and we sincerely appreciate their role in ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
He added, “Facilitating the orderly and secure transfer of ISIS detainees is critical to preventing a breakout that would pose a direct threat to the United States and regional security.”
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Adm. Cooper emphasized the collaborative nature of the mission, expressing gratitude toward the Iraqi government for its role in maintaining the “enduring defeat of ISIS.”
CENTCOM further said that in 2025, the U.S. and partner forces detained more than 300 ISIS operatives in Syria and killed over 20 during the same period.
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Men and boys suspected of being Islamic State fighters wait to be searched by members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Photograph: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images