US Transfers 11 Detainees from Guantanamo to Oman, Reducing Prison Population to 15

The recent transfer reflects ongoing efforts to responsibly shrink the number of detainees and reignite discussions about the controversial facility's future.

In a historic move, the United States has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from its military prison in Guantanamo Bay to Oman, shrinking the detainee count to just 15—the lowest number since the facility opened in 2002. This operation, which occurred during the early hours of Monday, reaffirms the Department of Defense's commitment to "responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing" the prison.

The Yemeni men involved in this transfer had been held for over two decades without charges following their capture in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Notably, the transfer coincided with a critical moment in the legal proceedings against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, who is set to plead guilty in a deal that avoids the death penalty.

Oman’s role in facilitating this transfer underscores a long-term process that has been underway to resettle these detainees safely. The US had previously deemed Yemen too perilous due to its ongoing civil war for repatriating the detainees. Among those transferred are Moath al-Alwi, known for his artistic endeavors in the prison, and Shaqawi al Hajj, recognized for his hunger strikes protesting his continued detention.

The transfers were sanctioned by national security review panels, which deemed the action to be consistent with US national security interests. Notably, this transfer is the largest to take place under the Biden administration. It follows the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, one of the initial detainees, who returned to Tunisia shortly before.

The Guantanamo facility, located on a US naval base in southeastern Cuba, gained notoriety under the Bush administration for holding suspects from counter-terrorism operations. Over the years, there has been increasing scrutiny over the prolonged detention of individuals without formal charges. Former President Barack Obama and his administration sought to close the prison, citing its misalignment with American ideals and its impact on international relations. However, bipartisan resistance in Congress prevented significant progress toward closing it, especially during Donald Trump's presidency when efforts to release detainees or shut down the facility were reversed.

As President Biden works to continue the trend of transferring detainees, the future of Guantanamo remains uncertain, with many anticipating further developments in the coming months.