Iraq to Hold ISIS Detainees from Syria in Baghdad, No Transfers to Kurdistan Region

Peregraf — Iraq’s Justice Minister Khalid Shwani said all ISIS prisoners transferred from Syria will be detained exclusively in Baghdad, stressing that none will be sent to the Kurdistan Region.

Shwani confirmed that Iraq has so far received 5,046 ISIS detainees from Syria, with the total expected to exceed 6,000. He underscored that the prisoners will not be transferred to facilities in Sulaymaniyah, including Suse or Chamchamal prisons, despite their federal status.

“These prisons are designated for criminal and civil cases, not terrorism,” Shwani said, adding that all ISIS detainees will be held in a specially designated high-security prison in Baghdad.

The justice minister noted that the detainees will be tried in Iraqi courts and include nationals from around 60 countries. Syrians make up the largest group, followed by citizens of neighboring states.

Shwani also said a special judicial body has been established to handle the prosecutions, while diplomatic efforts—coordinated with the US-led international coalition—are ongoing to repatriate foreign nationals to their countries of origin.