The United States on Wednesday said it launched an operation that could ultimately transfer up to 7,000 detainees affiliated with the Daesh terrorist group from northeastern Syria to neighboring Iraq to help ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities.
The mission began as U.S. forces successfully transported 150 Daesh fighters held at a detention facility in northeastern Hasakah province to a secure location in Iraq, it said in a statement.
"Ultimately, up to 7,000 Daesh detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities," it added.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. is "closely" coordinating with regional partners, including Iraq, and appreciates their role in ensuring the defeat of Daesh.
"Facilitating the orderly and secure transfer of ISIS detainees is critical to preventing a breakout that would pose a direct threat to the United States and regional security," he said, using an alternative acronym for Daesh.
