US Completes Transfer of IS Detainees from Syria to Iraq

Thousands of ISIS prisoners have been moved for trial, says US Central Command

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The United States military has completed the transfer of thousands of detainees accused of being members of the Islamic State group from Syria to Iraq for trial, the US Central Command announced on Friday.

Why it matters

The transfer of these ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to prosecute and hold accountable those who were involved with the terrorist organization. It also highlights the continued cooperation between the US and Iraqi governments in addressing the threat posed by ISIS.

The details

According to the US Central Command, the transfer of the ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq has been carried out over an extended period. The detainees were held in prisons and detention facilities in northeastern Syria, which had been under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The transfer of the prisoners was coordinated between the US military, the Iraqi government, and the SDF.

  • The transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq was completed on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

US Central Command

The unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

Iraqi Government

The government of the Republic of Iraq, which has been working with the US to prosecute and hold accountable former ISIS members.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

A multi-ethnic alliance of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, and Turkmen militias in northern Syria, which had been holding the ISIS detainees in prisons and detention facilities.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The transfer of these ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq for trial represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to bring former members of the terrorist organization to justice. It demonstrates the continued cooperation between the US and Iraqi governments in addressing the threat posed by ISIS, even as the group's physical caliphate has been dismantled.