U.S. transfers 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo, leaving only 15 in custody

In a significant development concerning the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the U.S. government transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman. This action was announced by the Defense Department on January 6, 2025, and is part of a broader initiative by the Biden administration to reduce the detainee population at the facility, which has seen significant changes in recent months. After this transfer, only 15 detainees remain at Guantanamo, marking the lowest number since its establishment in 2002. Notably, none of the transferred individuals were ever formally charged with any crimes, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding due process and human rights within the U.S. detention system. The current administration has maintained a focus on closing the Guantanamo facility, a goal that has been articulated through a series of transfers and reviews of detainee eligibility for release. This latest transfer follows a pattern initiated in the previous month, where the number of detainees dropped from 30 to 15, signaling an aggressive push to resolve long-standing cases that have captured public and international attention. Among the remaining detainees, some individuals are eligible for transfer, while others are involved in ongoing military commission processes, including those related to high-profile cases such as the September 11 attacks. Factors contributing to the recent transfers have included thorough interagency reviews which deemed the 11 transferred detainees as eligible for release based on national security considerations. It is worth noting that this operation involved extensive discussions and attempts to ensure that the transfers aligned with U.S. national interests, reflecting a more humanitarian approach to the detainee situation at Guantanamo Bay. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously informed Congress of the intentions to repatriate these detainees, making the process transparent and involving legislative oversight. The actions taken by the Biden administration suggest a critical shift in U.S. policy regarding the detention of individuals linked to terrorism. With only two detainees having been convicted, questions surrounding the legality of prolonged detention without charges continue to emerge. The controversy surrounding Guantanamo Bay remains, with rights advocates calling for complete closure of the facility, especially given the prolonged and indefinite nature of detentions without due process. This transfer marks not only a change for the individuals involved but also signifies a broader commitment from the U.S. government to reevaluate and potentially dissolve practices that have been heavily criticized domestically and internationally.