Iraq launches Daesh detainee probes, delaying repatriation from Syria

The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq has assigned the terrorism-focused First Karkh Investigative Court in Baghdad to handle the caseload. “The investigation starts from scratch,” said Ali Diaa, deputy head of the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation. He confirmed interrogations began on January 28, utilizing a vast information bank documenting Daesh crimes committed between 2014 and 2017.

Scale and severity of the caseload

The operation encompasses a total of 7,000 to 8,000 foreign Daesh members. Preliminary assessments have identified some as “highly dangerous,” including senior leaders and individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and the use of chemical weapons. Specific cases involve suspects in crimes against the Yazidi community. Iraq has received an initial group of 2,250 detainees from Syria via coordinated land and air transfers with the international coalition, placing them in high-security facilities.

A systematic judicial process

To manage the unprecedented workload, the specialized court has been reinforced with additional judges, prosecutors, and staff. An operations room has been established, coordinating with security agencies to guide investigations. Iraqi authorities emphasize that all trials will be conducted exclusively under Iraqi law. Notably, the detainees had not faced formal trials in Syria and were held for years without interrogation by courts or the coalition, necessitating a fresh legal review in Iraq.

Regional security context and implications

This judicial undertaking follows the recent transfer operation initiated by US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the withdrawal of YPG/SDF forces from the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria. For regional neighbors like Türkiye, which has long stressed the global threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters and the importance of accountable justice, Iraq’s meticulous judicial approach is a significant development. It represents a critical step in addressing the legacy of Daesh and preventing the unchecked return of extremists, a priority for regional stability and international security.