11 Guantanamo detainees released to Oman amid ongoing controversy
- The Pentagon announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, leaving 15 remaining at the facility.
- Among those remaining, some are eligible for transfer while others are involved in military commission processes.
- This transfer marks a significant step towards reducing the Guantanamo detainee population and aligns with U.S. efforts to eventually close the facility.
In a significant move, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the departure of 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman. This transfer, completed recently, has now reduced the number of detainees at Guantanamo Bay to just 15. The Pentagon expressed appreciation for Oman's willingness to help in this process, which aligns with broader U.S. goals of decreasing the detainee population and working towards the eventual closure of the controversial facility. Over the past few weeks, the Pentagon had already released four other detainees from Guantanamo, including one who had been held since the facility's opening day without any formal charges. With this latest transfer of 11 individuals, it marks the largest action of its kind during the presidency of Joe Biden. Currently, among the remaining 15 detainees, several are eligible for transfer or ongoing military commissions. Notably, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks, remains at the facility and is expected to participate in plea negotiations in the near future. The implications of this transfer are significant. The U.S. had long faced criticism over its handling of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. With the reduction in detainees and a focus on repatriation, the Biden administration is signaling a shift in policy towards closing the detention center that has been a source of controversy for over two decades. Legal representatives for one of the detainees, Sharqawi Al Hajj, expressed hope for their client’s future following nearly 23 years of captivity, emphasizing the importance of this move. The transfer took place following Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's notification to Congress regarding the intention to repatriate the detainees. In an environment where legal and political considerations intertwine, the Pentagon’s actions reveal ongoing dialogue with international partners regarding immigration and human rights issues linked with the Guantanamo Bay facility. This situation is indicative of the broader U.S. strategic direction under the current administration, which continues to grapple with complex national security and humanitarian considerations connected to Guantanamo Bay.