AFP: All those handed over to Iraq from ISIS fighters are “emirs in the organization”
Two security officials revealed on Friday that the first batch of ISIS detainees received by Iraq included individuals holding European citizenship who were prominent leaders in the extremist organization .
The two officials told AFP, commenting on Baghdad receiving last Wednesday the first batch of ISIS detainees as part of the US operation to transfer them from Syria, that it includes ISIS leaders and “the most heinous criminals of different nationalities, Europeans, Asians, Arabs and Iraqis .”
The two officials also noted that the group includes “85 Iraqis and 65 foreigners, including Europeans, Sudanese, Somalis and people from the Caucasus countries, all of whom participated in ISIS operations in Iraq, and all of whom are at the level of emirs in the organization .”
Meanwhile, the European Union said reports of foreign fighters from the Islamic State group escaping from detention in Syria were a source of “grave concern,” adding that it was monitoring the transfer of detainees to Iraq .
European Union spokesman Anwar Al-Anouni said that the recent potential escapes of ISIS detainees amid clashes are of grave concern .
He added, “We are closely monitoring the situation, including the transfer of remaining detained fighters to Iraq, including foreign terrorist fighters .”
Last Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of transferring up to 7,000 ISIS detainees held in Syria to “Iraqi-controlled facilities,” in a move aimed at “ensuring that terrorists remain in secure detention facilities .”
She said that 150 detainees were transferred from a prison in Hasakah province (northeast Syria), while Baghdad confirmed receiving the first batch, which includes Iraqis and foreigners .
Shafaq.com