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Türkiye is reportedly preparing to repatriate Turkish citizens who are members of the terrorist organization Daesh from Iraq following the U.S.-led transfer of over 5,700 detainees from Syria, as Iraqi authorities work to verify identities.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Friday, Feb. 13, that it completed the transfer of Daesh detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq following a final nighttime flight on Feb. 12.
The 23-day mission, which began Jan. 21, resulted in U.S. forces successfully transporting more than 5,700 adult male Daesh members from detention facilities in Syria to Iraqi custody.
"Job well done to the entire Joint Force team who executed this exceptionally challenging mission on the ground and in the air with great focus, professionalism, and collaboration with our regional partners," said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
"We appreciate Iraq's leadership and recognition that transferring the detainees is essential to regional security," he added.
Iraqi Justice Minister Khaled Shwani clarified that reports claiming 2,500 Turkish prisoners were transferred are "inaccurate and greatly exaggerated."
"The actual number within this batch does not exceed 165 prisoners only," Shwani said in an interview with Sumaria News.
The detainees belong to more than 60 nationalities, with the majority being Syrian citizens.
Diplomatic sources told Deutsche Welle (DW) Turkish that the figure has not yet been confirmed, highlighting the complexity of the identification process.
"Those brought to Iraq were held in detention facilities in Syria. We do not accept everyone who says 'I am Turkish' as a Turkish citizen," the sources who spoke to DW said.
"Among them are Uyghurs who claim to be Turkish because they do not want to be handed over to China. There are also Turks who are German citizens. Many do not have official documents such as passports. Therefore, we are investigating their statements and continuing identity verification," the sources said.
The sources reportedly noted that Turkish citizens who married foreign nationals and have children create additional legal uncertainties, with each case being evaluated separately.
Sources cited by DW indicated that Türkiye, along with the United States and Uzbekistan, has advocated that "foreign terrorist fighters in Syria should return to their countries of origin."
Within this framework, Ankara has informed Iraqi authorities that it is ready to accept Turkish citizen Daesh members and their families.
Approximately 4,500 people have been transferred from prisons to Iraq so far, while those held in camps in Syria have not yet been moved.
According to diplomatic sources, Turkish citizens, who are Daesh members extradited from Iraq, will be tried in Türkiye.
Women and children who were not involved in crimes will undergo integration programs expected to be coordinated by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
Türkiye's Interior Ministry has arrest warrants for 98 people on its "Wanted Terrorists" list on grounds of Daesh membership.
Of these, 16 are in the red category with bounties up to ₺20 million. The orange list contains 28 suspects, the yellow list 12, and the gray list 44.
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