Transfer of ISIS suspects nears end as Trump pursues Syria exit

"The U.S. military has nearly completed the transfer of thousands of suspected Islamic State fighters to the Iraqi government, setting the stage for the expected withdrawal of many - perhaps even all - American troops from Syria within months, officials familiar with the issue said. The movement of between 6,000 and 7,000 detainees, underway for weeks, could be completed as soon as Friday, said the officials, who like some others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations."

"The transfer began last month, with U.S. troops teaming with SDF and Iraqi counterparts to move the detainees using aircraft and ground convoys. It marks one of the most significant developments in years for the remnants of the Islamic State, the militant group whose bloody campaign across Syria and Iraq resulted in a multinational military intervention beginning in 2014."

"Many of the detainees who have been transferred are expected to be held at the Al-Karkh prison, an Iraqi facility near Baghdad International Airport, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. It was once called Camp Cropper and used by the U.S. military to house detainees during the Iraq War. In a statement, the White House said Trump is committed to a Syria that is "stable, unified and at peace with itself and its neighbors.""

The U.S. military has moved between 6,000 and 7,000 suspected Islamic State detainees to Iraqi custody, with the transfer possibly completing within days. U.S. troops, Syrian Democratic Forces and Iraqi counterparts used aircraft and ground convoys to relocate the prisoners. Many transferred detainees will be held at Al-Karkh prison near Baghdad, formerly Camp Cropper. Fewer than 2,000 Syrian detainees are expected to remain in SDF-run detention centers until handed to the Syrian government. The transfer signals an end to the SDF-overseen mission in northeastern Syria and could prompt withdrawal of many or all U.S. troops. The United States says it is monitoring the situation.

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